MPs head to Karamoja in iron sheets investigation

Lawmakers on the Presidential Affairs committee will this Sunday head to Karamoja to unearth more information in regard to the mismanagement of relief items meant for vulnerable people in the sub-region.
Among the districts the team intends to visit include Nakapiripirit, Moroto, Kotido and Napak where most of the mismanagement accusations were raised.
The visit, which will last five days, follows last week’s session where the committee interfaced with various witnesses over the saga.

Karamoja Affairs minister Mary Goretti Kitutu, her junior Agnes Nandutu and Finance Minister Matia Kasaija all appeared before the committee. 
The committee chairperson, Ms Jesca Ababiku (Adjumani Woman), yesterday said they had virtually covered 60 percent of their investigations and would now go on the ground to cross check the information that was availed to them.

 “We shall travel on Sunday before starting official visits on Monday for a period of five days,” she said, adding, “We are going to all the districts in Karamoja.”
The MPs’ terms of reference include ascertaining allegations of the mismanagement of iron sheets, doing verification on the number of goats that were expected in Karamoja versus the actual cost implications as well as determine whether food items, specifically maize, were diverted to support other institutions.

The strategy
On whether other alleged recipients, including Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja and Finance State Minister Amos Lugoolobi, will be called upon to answer claims for inappropriately receiving iron sheets, Ms Ababiku said the team first needs to verify the beneficiaries’ list before issuing additional summons. 
“We need to first get a list of the beneficiaries of the iron sheets from the person who donated them and after that, we shall be able to formally invite them,” Ms Ababiku said.
Speaker Anita Among on Tuesday directed the committee to return to the House in two weeks’ time with their findings and recommendations.