Lugoloobi defence hearing over Karamoja iron sheets pushed to August

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The defence hearing of a case in which planning state minister Amos Lugoloobi is accused of diverting iron sheets meant for the Karamoja region hit a snag on July 2 due to the absence of the judge.

Lugoloobi, who is also the Ntenjeru North MP, was expected to present some witnesses to defend himself in the matter.

The minister and his lawyers, as well as the witness, turned up in court, but Justice Jane Okuo Kajuga (now Acting Principal Judge) was absent. This prompted the clerk to adjourn the case to August 19.

In the last session, defence lawyers representing the minister informed the court that they will present 13 witnesses to defend their client.

The defence witnesses that the minister intends to present to court are mainly from Ntenjeru North, Kayunga district, the latter’s constituency.

Defence lawyer John Isabirye made the revelation immediately after the minister completed his testimony on March 14, 2025.  Other defence lawyers included Alex Luganda and Tonny Tumukunde.

In his defence, Lugoloobi testified that he is experiencing undue hardship due to the inefficient distribution of Karamoja iron sheets to undeserving individuals.

The minister stated that he has built his reputation since joining the government in 1986, when the National Resistance Army, now Movement, took power. However, he claimed that his reputation has been tarnished because of 600 iron sheets, which he did not know were intended for Karamoja region.

The court heard that some iron sheets that were given to Lugoloobi were recovered from a farm in Misanga village, Bbaale Parish, Kayunga district, where they were used to roof a goat shelter and donated to a local school. Lugoloobi has since stated that the farm belongs to the community.

The case

Lugoloobi, who is also the Ntenjeru North MP, is battling two counts of dealing with suspect property, contrary to Section 21A of the Anti-Corruption Act. The offence elicits a maximum sentence of seven years' imprisonment upon conviction.

The minister reportedly received 600 iron sheets in two batches of 300. He is said to have received the first consignment from the OPM on July 15, 2022, under voucher number 8,058. The iron sheets were purportedly signed for by his [Lugoloobi’s] personal assistant, John Allan Damulira, and transported using car registration number UBG430S.

He also allegedly received another batch of 300 sheets from the Karamoja affairs ministry on February 1, 2023, under voucher number 8,527.

Prosecution alleges that Lugoloobi, between July 14, 2022 and February 28, 2023, at the OPM stores Namanve in Mukono district and at different places in Matugga, Wakiso district and Ntenjeru North Constituency, dealt with government property, namely, 300 pre-painted iron sheets marked “OPM”, having reason to believe that the said iron sheets were acquired as a result of loss of public property, an offence under Section 10 (1) of the Anti-Corruption Act.

On the second count of dealing with suspect property, it is alleged that Lugoloobi between February 1, 2023 and March 16, 2023, at OPM stores Namanve, in the same places, dealt with suspect property, namely, 300 pre-painted iron sheets marked “OPM”, having reason to believe that the said iron sheets were acquired as a result of public loss of property.