Court Advises Former Minister Kitutu to Consider Plea Bargain

The Anti-Corruption Court has advised former Karamoja Affairs Minister Mary Goretti Kitutu and her co-accused elder brother to consider entering into a plea bargain agreement with the state if they believe they are liable for the diversion of over 10,000 pieces of iron sheets intended for vulnerable communities in Karamoja.

Under the plea bargain program, an accused person who feels liable for the offenses they are charged with may plead guilty in exchange for a lighter sentence or punishment.

The advice to Kitutu comes after the prosecution informed trial Judge David Makumbi that they are ready to proceed with the four-year-old case, following the dismissal of an appeal that had stalled the proceedings.

Justice Makumbi has scheduled a pre-trial hearing for November 4, with the evidence hearing set to begin on December 2. This update comes after Chief State Attorney Jonathan Muwaganya stated in court that they have made full disclosures of evidence to Kitutu’s lawyers.

Kitutu is jointly charged with Joshua Abaho, a senior assistant secretary at the Office of the Prime Minister, over the alleged diversion of 14,500 pre-painted iron sheets procured for vulnerable communities in the Karamoja sub-region.

Kitutu faces two counts of causing loss of public property involving 9,000 and 5,500 iron sheets, offenses alleged to have been committed between June 2022 and January 2023.

Her brother, Michael Naboya, is separately accused of receiving 100 iron sheets in Situmi Village, Namisindwa District, knowing that the items had been unlawfully obtained.

The trio has denied the allegations.