The theft of thousands of metal roofing sheets intended for a relief program in northern Karamoja has enveloped Uganda’s government, and a third minister was charged with corruption in the escalating controversy on Wednesday.
Agness Nandutu, the state minister for Karamoja Affairs, was remanded in Kampala on Wednesday after pleading not guilty to “dealing with suspect property,”
They claim Nandutu stole 2,000 roofing sheets from the government’s supply closet, “which she had reason to believe were acquired as a result of loss of public property.”
Prosecutors have indicted two more politicians, including Uganda’s junior finance minister, in connection with the same case. The relief effort is overseen by the Prime Minister’s Office.
Prosecutor General Jane Frances Abodo told a local radio station that her office has initiated independent investigations against hundreds of other government officials, including the vice president.
In Uganda, ministerial corruption investigations are very rare.
