The State Minister for Planning, Amos Lugoloobi, on Tuesday Feb 28, 2023, removed the iron sheets from Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) meant for Karamoja and that he diverted to roof a shed for animals on his farm, calling them “evil.”
The Ntenjeru North MP had reportedly received up to 600 iron sheets said to be part of relief material that the government procured through the OPM for vulnerable populations in Karamoja, Teso, Northern Uganda, Luweero Triangle, Bunyoro sub-regions.
Minister Lugoloobi yesterday admitted that he had used some of the G28 corrugated pre-painted iron sheets he received to roof a shed for his goats on his farm located in Misanga Village, Bbaale Sub-county in Kayunga District.
“I have noticed that these iron sheets are evil and I no longer need them. Let me remove it so that I buy other iron sheets and re-roof my shed so that no one can lay claim that I owe them anything on my property,” he said after ordering workers to pluck off the sheets. Armed security personnel cordoned off the farm and blocked access to it, with the minister saying he did not want strangers and journalists to access the premises to witness the de-roofing.
Condemning him for receiving about 600 of the iron sheets meant for the vulnerable, he argued, was unnecessary and Mr Lugoloobi questioned why he was being pilloried and turned into a media fodder when many government executives also picked the roofing materials.
“How much are the 600 iron sheets I received? This is too little money because I have been donating iron sheets, which I have been buying using my personal money to schools, churches, mosques and other community projects,” he said, adding, “I have removed them (the iron sheets) and now let me walk in peace because some people who don’t like me have misinterpreted this whole matter.”
It remained unclear whether the removed iron sheets would be sold or donated to other users and if not, who would pay for the loss of government property. The minister, who has reportedly recorded a statement with investigators at State House Anti-Corruption Unit (SHACU) that unearthed the alleged misallocation of the roofing materials, is among nearly a dozen Cabinet colleagues and high-profile citizens expected to assist with ongoing investigations.
Speaker Annet Among Anita on the side revealed that she diverted the iron sheets and used them for her political interests and gains.
“I found the iron sheets and ordered to be donated to two schools in Malera, Bukedea District.”
Anita doesn’t seem to admit to have faulted, as she said, “it’s no one’s fault.” Anita however revealed that everyone should carry their own cross and not blaming others since they (some of the gov’t officials) all stole from the government.
