Uganda: Iron Sheets Scandal Quiets Ministers’ Sirens: Arrests Made
Our survey shows that ministers are skipping Parliament sessions and turning off their lead car sirens after the iron sheet theft investigations and arrests.
State House detectives found ministers and other notables illegally sharing metal sheets for reformed young warriors and Karamoja’s poor in February.
Goretti Kitutu (Karamoja Affairs), Agness Nandutu, and Amos Lugoloobi (Planning) are three of the 22 ministers charged with mischief.
Indictments have included conspiracy, causing government property loss, and dealing in suspect proper
ty.
Each accused has spent nights in Luzira Prisons, where Ms. Nandutu will stay until her bail hearing on May 3.
Panic
Investigators and Cabinet sources said the arrests, which resembled a 2007 crackdown on procurement-related corruption during Uganda’s hosting of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), have frightened ministers.
One minister reportedly hid at a senior colleague’s house before turning themselves into detectives for questioning, which led to their detention.
Receivers have rushed to return the iron sheets to the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), home of the Karamoja Affairs ministry in the storm.
Last Thursday, a junior minister visited the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) headquarters in Kibuli, a Kampala suburb, to tell investigators they were ready to cooperate and should not be arrested.
Why arrests?
The arrests aim to deter, tame impunity, and restore political discipline, according to unnamed sources.
Indicting ministers may make them more cautious when making decisions, handling government resources, and conducting public affairs, according to one source.
Officials named in the iron sheet saga face difficulties as many are absent from public life.
After only Government Chief Whip Hamson Obua, whose portfolio is Cabinet-level, and junior Health minister Margaret Muhanga attended the plenary on April 5, Deputy Speaker of Parliament Thomas Tayebwa threatened to refer absconding executives to the House Committee on Rules.
He said, “Honourable Government Chief Whip, please, register my displeasure, which I believe is the displeasure of this House; that bad manners have resumed whereby ministers are not taking this House seriously, and yet they are also members of Parliament.”
Thus, legislators’ national-importance questions remain unanswered, and ministerial policy statements are delayed, slowing budget consideration.
Where are ministers?
State National Guidance minister Godfrey Kabbyanga said they are not hiding, especially those under police investigation.
On April 17, we sent our journalists to Nkumba traffic light junction, near where the expressway and old Entebbe airport merge, to count the number of ministerial cars heading to Entebbe.
“CM” or “MS” signs indicate “Cabinet Minister” or “Minister of State” on ministerial vehicles.
Unless delegated, President Museveni or the vice president chairs cabinet meetings on Mondays.
Monday, April 17, dawned rainy. By 10.30 am, our journalists counted 40 vehicles carrying ministers to Entebbe town, where the State House and the international airport are.
Uganda has 82 ministers—32 Cabinet ministers and 50 state ministers—suggesting half headed to Entebbe that morning.
The vice president, prime minister, First and Second deputy prime ministers, Works minister, Justice and Constitutional Affairs minister, and Information ministers Norbert Mao and Dr. Chris Baryomunsi.
According to multiple sources, several ministers wanted by police for diverting iron sheets for personal use or donations to constituents did not attend.
The cabinet never discussed the matter.
A source familiar with Cabinet meetings said President Museveni has only addressed the scandal once, about a month ago, and has said nothing about the ongoing arrests and arraignment of implicated ministers.
“Ministers attended [the April 17 sitting], but some apologized for other commitments. “The mabaati issue (iron sheet saga) is not an excuse,” state minister Kabbyanga told this newspaper.
On that day, political executives discussed the proposed Tax Amendment Bill, energy conservation, and drug law reform.
One minister said “Those who were involved (in mabaati-gate) knew what was coming.” After President Museveni asked police to investigate them, so the sitting ended early and was not tense.
On Monday, April 17, ministers raced without sirens. A change from previous practice where lead cars would shove other motorists off the streets. And sometimes drive the wrong way to clear the way for the principal.
The public noticed this. On April 20, at 9:14 am, we tweeted, “Might you know or neighbor a minister?” If safe, describe the minister’s routine changes since the iron sheet saga began.
The question had 28 retweets, one bookmark, 259 likes, and nine quotes by 9:09 am yesterday. Responses were revealed and entertained.
ALSO READ: Uganda Boasts 1,500 dollar Millionaires: Report
“They now move with their passports and luggage — just in case,” tweeted Jayms K (@jaymskiya) without evidence.
Tinga Tundra tweeted that “Casia Lodge road [in Kampala’s Buziga outskirt]… two of them (ministers) no longer come back home…”
Gideon Anika Ppepe joked: “Hahaha the convoy is on leave.” we no longer hear the siren in the morning and evening.”
Julius Samson, @julius_samwan, called our question “too much encroaching in a private life of someone”.
Ministers “are answerable to the public for office misuse, but this is a little beyond the line,” he wrote.
“The land cruisers (ministers’ official cars) are parked,” Bart Baba said. “They now drive [private vehicles].”
Fred Kisembo says “Apprehension is now at its [highest]. Ministers are calm now.
@akprossy tweeted that the sirens are silent.
Musah Tamale agreed: “No sirens in town”. “Reduced sirens on the roads,” tweeted kdouG.
Ambulances, police, and security vehicles blared sirens for our journalists. The President’s convoy, ambulances, and emergency vehicles have the right of way.
Background
Police are waiting for the public prosecutor’s order to arrest ministers and other politicians involved in the iron sheet saga.
President Museveni called “ministers who benefitted from the Karamoja iron sheets thieves and subversive.” In an April 13 letter, escalating the scandal.
The water-stressed northeastern subregion has suffered from perpetual famine. But rising gun violence, cattle rustling, and random ambushes and killings, exacerbated by warriors invading neighboring districts, have compounded the suffering and security nightmare.
President Museveni, the commander-in-chief, approved an Shs39b supplementary budget from OPM. To stock food, goats, and iron sheets to entice gun holders home.
At a June 2022 event in Moroto District, Mr. Museveni distributed 1,000 of the 100,000 metal sheets purchased with emergency financing.
That was the last time the Karimojong saw the iron sheets. And investigators found that Karamoja Affairs minister Kitutu’s October 2022 and February 2023 memos released up to 14,500 iron sheets. From OPM stores in Namanve, Mukono District. Which the political elite shared on WhatsApp.
Uganda: Iron Sheets Scandal Quiets Ministers’ Sirens: Arrests Made
HEY READER. PLEASE SUPPORT THIS SITE BY CLICKING ADS. DON’T FORGET TO HIT THE NOTIFICATION BELL FOR MORE UPDATES AROUND THE GLOBE.
