Iron sheets case: Why ex-minister Kitutu’s trial is delayed

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The trial of former Karamoja Affairs Minister Goretti Kitutu, who is accused of diverting iron sheets meant for the Karamoja region, has again been postponed.

When the case resumed on Monday, February 9, 2026, Kitutu and her lawyers, led by Jude Byamukama, appeared before the Anti-Corruption Court Judge David Makumbi, who adjourned the case.

The judge deferred the case to March 12, 2026, pending a ruling by the Court of Appeal on an application in which Kitutu is challenging her trial at the Anti-Corruption Court in Kampala, citing alleged torture. The trial has been adjourned more than five times due to the application ruling.

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In her application, Kitutu claims that she was blindfolded and driven at breakneck speed to Kayunga when arrested.

The minister's woes started when she was hounded by the Parliamentary Committee on Presidential Affairs without legal representation.

“I appeared before the committee where I was forcefully required to take an oath without legal counsel to advise me on the legalities touching the allegations. On declining to answer questions, I was arbitrarily detained, blindfolded and driven to Kayunga district in the dead of the night in a manner calculated to force me to admit to crimes,” she purports.

Kitutu, who is also the Manafwa District Woman Member of Parliament, is jointly charged with her brother, Michael Kitutu Naboya and personal assistant Joshua Abaho. Naboya faces charges of receiving stolen property, while Abaho faces corruption.

Allegations

Prosecution alleges that Kitutu, between June 2022 and January 2023, at the OPM stores in Namanve, caused loss of public property in the form of 9,000 pre-painted iron sheets, gauge 28.

It is alleged that she diverted the iron sheets from the intended purpose of benefitting the Karamoja Community Development Programme (KCEP), to her own benefit and to the benefit of third parties, having reason to believe that such an act would result in loss of the said public property.

She is also accused of diverting 5,500 pre-painted iron sheets of gauge 28, from the intended purpose of benefitting the KCEP, to her own benefit and to the benefit of third parties having reason to believe that such act would result in loss of the said public property.

The state further alleges that the trio, between June 2022 and January 2023, conspired by deceit to defraud beneficiaries under the KCEP of 9,000 pre-painted iron sheets of gauge 28.