The Director of Public Prosecutions, Justice Jane Frances Abodo has revealed that her office is working on forty (40) files regarding the abuse and diversion of the iron sheets meant for the Karamoja sub-region. Two ministers have already been charged over the scandal.

The DPP, however, noted that some of the suspects may face administrative measures rather than prosecution in the courts of law.

Justice Abodo spoke to COU Family TV outside Parliament where she had led a team of technocrats to present the budgetary estimates of the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), to the parliamentary committee on finance.  

The Director of Public Prosecutions, Justice Jane Frances Abodo says investigations into the Karamoja iron sheets scandal are progressing well. She noted that the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) is currently processing over forty (40) files regarding the alleged misappropriation and/or diversion of thousands of pieces of iron sheets meant for people in the Karamoja sub-region.

A diverse array of government officials are under investigation including ministers, Members of Parliament, technocrats in the Office of the Prime Minister, and Chief Administrative Officers, among others.

The Minister for Karamoja Affairs, Dr. Mary Goretti Kitutu, and State Minister for Finance Amos Lugoloobi have already been charged in court. These are most likely going to be joined by a number of other government officials as investigations into the matter continue.

 "We handle case by case, those that are ready we take to court. But some we might recommend administrative measures not being taken to prison"

The functions of the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions include: directing the police to investigate any information of a criminal nature and to institute criminal proceedings against any person or authority in any court other than a Court Martial.

According to Justice Abodo, the directorate has 306 staff, which is short of the expected 538. She also appealed to the Government to exempt ODPP staff from paying taxes on their salaries. She noted that the proposal has already been okayed by the president.

Prosecutors earn up to 5.2 Million Ugandan shillings, following their salary increment from 2.7 million Uganda shillings. The DPP cites exemptions for other agencies like police, prisons, and judicial officers who don’t pay taxes on their salaries.  

Justice Abodo said that many ODPP staff have resigned in search of greener pastures in the Private sector, leaving many cases pending.

MPs raised concern that the move if made, might cause division among government institutions where staff may also seek tax exemptions.

Government loses up to 7.8 trillion Uganda shillings in tax exemption annually. Parliament has since recommended that tax exemptions be stopped to stop losses to the Government.  

Ramson