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The Karamoja Affairs Minister Mary Gorreti Kitutu has been denied bail by the Anti-Corruption Court in Kampala.
The court on Wednesday presided over by the Chief Magistrate Joan Aciro has denied Kitutu bail on grounds that out of the four sureties she presented only one, MP Seth Wambede provided documents of his workplace and his source of income is known and his earnings too.
According to Aciro, the rest of the sureties presented by Kitutu did not meet the requirements such as presenting their bank statements or employment identity cards to demonstrate their capacity to pay the money in case the suspects abscond from the trial.
The sureties include her husband Michael Kitutu, African Union Diplomat Simon Mulongo, and family friend Joel Wandagwa.
Aciro asked the Minister to look for other sureties if she is still interested in seeking bail again.
She also said that although the land documents Kitutu presented were verified and found to be genuine, the laws provide that for one to be given bail, they must have at least two sureties.
Chief Magistrate Joan Aciro explained that the three proposed sureties, including the minister’s husband, former MP Simon Mulongo, and family friend Joel Wandagwa, did not present sufficient proof of employment or financial capacity to fulfill their duties.
The minister’s brother, Michael Namboya, who is also a co-suspect, was present at the hearing. However, her private secretary, Joshua Abaho, was absent but sent his lawyer, Paul Kuteesa, to inform the magistrate that he is taking care of his admitted wife who had a miscarriage last week.
Kitutu has been at the center of controversy for allegedly diverting iron sheets meant for vulnerable people in Karamoja for more than two months. She was sent to Luzira last Thursday after the presiding magistrate postponed the matter to review lengthy bail arguments made by both her lawyers and the state.
Kitutu is jointly charged with her brother, Michael Naboya Kitutu, and Joshua Abaho, the senior assistant secretary in the Ministry of Karamoja Affairs in the Office of the Prime Minister.
Mr. Abaho did not appear in court last Thursday, prompting the prosecution led by Ms. Josephine Namatovu and Jonathan Muwaganya to request criminal summons against him, which was granted.