A consignment of iron sheets purchased by Speaker Anita Among to replace those given to her from relief items meant for Karamoja has been refused by officers manning the stores of the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) at the Namanve industrial area.
The OPM personnel insist that the iron sheets must first be cleared by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions and the CIID, as they are subject to an ongoing investigation into the diverted relief items for Karamoja.
The iron sheets scandal involves the procurement of 100,000 iron sheets by the government in 2022 for distribution to reformed warriors in Karamoja as part of a community empowerment program aimed at pacifying the restive sub-region.
Instead of reaching the intended beneficiaries, thousands of the iron sheets were allegedly distributed to government officials, including Speaker Among, Vice President Jessica Alupo, Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja, and 22 ministers.
When the scandal broke, police were directed to investigate the diversion, resulting in the arrest and detention of Minister for Karamoja Affairs, Mary Gorreti Kitutu, who is now facing charges of conspiracy to defraud and causing loss of public property.
On April 3, President Museveni directed those who received the iron sheets to reimburse the cost or return them, threatening police action and political consequences for those involved.
In the midst of this controversy, a new row has emerged between the Speaker of Parliament and the Office of the Prime Minister.
READ MORE: Speaker Among’s iron sheets missing at OPM
It has come to light that someone in the OPM office tried to block Speaker Among's efforts to compensate for the irregularly received iron sheets.
The situation remains tense as investigations and legal proceedings continue.
A consignment of iron sheets purchased by Speaker Anita Among to replace those given to her from relief items meant for Karamoja has been refused by officers manning the stores of the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) at the Namanve industrial area.
The OPM personnel insist that the iron sheets must first be cleared by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions and the CIID, as they are subject to an ongoing investigation into the diverted relief items for Karamoja.
The iron sheets scandal involves the procurement of 100,000 iron sheets by the government in 2022 for distribution to reformed warriors in Karamoja as part of a community empowerment program aimed at pacifying the restive sub-region.
Instead of reaching the intended beneficiaries, thousands of the iron sheets were allegedly distributed to government officials, including Speaker Among, Vice President Jessica Alupo, Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja, and 22 ministers.
When the scandal broke, police were directed to investigate the diversion, resulting in the arrest and detention of Minister for Karamoja Affairs, Mary Gorreti Kitutu, who is now facing charges of conspiracy to defraud and causing loss of public property.
On April 3, President Museveni directed those who received the iron sheets to reimburse the cost or return them, threatening police action and political consequences for those involved.
In the midst of this controversy, a new row has emerged between the Speaker of Parliament and the Office of the Prime Minister.
It has come to light that someone in the OPM office tried to block Speaker Among's efforts to compensate for the irregularly received iron sheets.
The situation remains tense as investigations and legal proceedings continue.