The Anti-Corruption Court denied Dr. Mary Goretti Kitutu, the Minister of Karamoja Affairs, bail on Wednesday due to a lack of sufficient sureties.
Ms. Kitutu’s attorneys, who are Mr. Micheal Wamasebu, a former deputy director of public prosecutions (DPP), Mr. John Musiime, and Mr. Jude Byamukama, last week presented the court with two land titles, each measuring half an acre, in the Wakiso District and cited Ms. Kitutu’s poor health, advanced age of 61, and permanent residence in Bunga as reasons for her release on bail.
However, the presiding magistrate, Ms. Marion Aciro, had adjourned the case until today, citing a lack of time to examine the extensive bail arguments filed by both the State and her attorneys.
Three of her sureties, including her husband, Mr. George Kitutu, failed to provide evidence of their ability to stand surety in this kind of situation.
The case has been continued to Friday, April 14, when the aforementioned sureties are anticipated to appear in court and provide their credentials so that the judge can decide whether or not to grant the minister bail.
The minister, who has been in the spotlight for more than two months over allegations that she stole iron sheets intended for Karamoja’s most vulnerable residents, was sent to Luzira last Thursday after the case was postponed until today due to the presiding magistrate’s lack of time to fully consider the State’s and the minister’s lengthy bail arguments.
According to the charge sheet that was laid out in front of the court last week, Minister Kitutu is accused of two counts of misplacing public property as well as a count of conspiring to commit fraud.
She is accused along with Mr. Joshua Abaho, the senior assistant secretary in charge of Karamoja Affairs at the Prime Minister’s Office, and her younger brother Michael Naboya Kitutu.