Amos Lugoloobi denied Bail

State Minister for Finance and Planning, Amos Lugoloobi, has been arrested and charged with two counts related to dealing with stolen property in connection to the Karamoja iron sheets scandal. Lugoloobi appeared before the Anti-Corruption Court on Monday, April 17, 2023, and pleaded not guilty to the charges. Despite attempts by his lawyers to secure bail, the minister was remanded until April 20 when he is expected to appear in court again.

During the court hearing, Lugoloobi’s lawyer argued that denying the minister bail would not only affect his family but also his constituency and ministry since he is a Member of Parliament. However, the prosecution objected to the bail claims, citing insufficient sureties and the likelihood of Lugoloobi fleeing the country.

The magistrate agreed with the prosecution’s objection and remanded the minister until his next court appearance. If found guilty, Lugoloobi faces severe penalties as the charges against him fall under the Anti-Corruption Act.

The Karamoja iron sheets scandal involves allegations of embezzlement of funds meant for the procurement of iron sheets for people affected by natural disasters in the Karamoja region. The scandal has caused an uproar among Ugandans, with many calling for transparency and accountability from their leaders.