news 12 October 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Iron Sheets Case: Kitutu and Co-accused Urged to Consider Plea Bargain
The Anti-Corruption Court has encouraged former Karamoja Affairs Minister Mary Goretti Kitutu and her co-accused to explore a plea bargain as their iron sheets diversion case nears a hearing. The court is ready to proceed after a legal appeal that had delayed the proceedings was dismissed. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/iron-sheets-case-kitutu-co-accused-advised-to-consider-plea-bargain-5628694
Justice David Makumbi of the Anti-Corruption Court has advised former Karamoja Affairs Minister Mary Goretti Kitutu and her co-accused to consider a plea bargain if they believe they are guilty of the charges they face. This suggestion comes as the court gears up to finally hear the long-stalled case concerning the alleged diversion of government iron sheets.
The prosecution informed the court that it is prepared to move forward with the case, which has been ongoing for approximately four years. The proceedings were significantly delayed by an appeal that has now been dismissed, clearing the path for a trial.
Kitutu is jointly charged with Joshua Abaho, a senior assistant secretary at the Office of the Prime Minister. The charges stem from the alleged diversion of 14,500 pre-painted iron sheets that were procured for vulnerable communities in the Karamoja sub-region. Specifically, Kitutu faces two counts of causing a loss of public property, involving 9,000 and 5,500 iron sheets respectively, along with a count of conspiracy to defraud.
The court’s suggestion of a plea bargain offers a potential route to resolve the case without a full trial, should the accused find it a viable option. This development marks a significant step in a case that has garnered considerable public attention.