The Anti-Corruption Court has scheduled November 4, 2026, for a pre-trial hearing in the case against former Karamoja Affairs minister Mary Goretti Kitutu and her co-accused over the alleged diversion of 14,500 government iron sheets meant for vulnerable communities in Karamoja.
Justice David Makumbi fixed the date on Monday after the prosecution informed the court that it was ready to proceed, following the dismissal of an appeal that had delayed the case for nearly two years.
The court also set December 2 for a subsequent hearing and encouraged the prosecution and defence to engage before the next appearance to agree on the facts and evidence to be relied upon.
“I will encourage the prosecution and defence, between now and November 4, to link up so that you agree on the facts and disclosures, so that we do not waste time,” Justice Makumbi said.
The judge also advised the accused to consider a plea bargain if they believed they were liable for the offences, although the case remains scheduled to proceed through the court process.
Chief State Attorney Jonathan Muwaganya told the court that the prosecution was ready to move forward and had disclosed the evidence it intends to rely on to the defence team.
Kitutu is jointly charged with Joshua Abaho, her former senior assistant secretary at the Office of the Prime Minister. They face two counts of causing loss of public property involving 9,000 and 5,500 pre-painted iron sheets, respectively, as well as a count of conspiracy to defraud.
The prosecution alleges that the iron sheets were diverted between June 2022 and January 2023 instead of being distributed to vulnerable households under the Karamoja Community Empowerment Programme.
Kitutu’s brother, Michael Naboya Kitutu, faces a separate allegation of receiving 100 iron sheets at Situmi village in Namisindwa District, knowing or having reason to believe that the government property had been unlawfully obtained.