Rédaction Africa Links 24 with The Observer
Published on 2024-04-01 05:45:42
The Court of Appeal has made a significant decision to halt the criminal proceedings against Mary Gorreti Kitutu, the former Karamoja minister who is facing charges related to a financial loss of Shs 1.5 billion meant for peace-building activities in the Karamoja sub-region. Despite being dropped from the cabinet recently, Kitutu has been at the center of legal battles surrounding the alleged mismanagement of funds.
The halt in proceedings was issued by Justice Oscar Kihika, who acted as a single judge of the appellate court. The decision was based on the belief that Kitutu could suffer irreparable damages if the case were to proceed while there was a pending appeal challenging the legality of the charges against her. This ruling came after an application in which Kitutu appealed a judgment by Anti-Corruption High Court Judge Jane Okuo Kajuga, who had declined to dismiss the charges against her.
Kitutu’s legal team, led by Jude Byamukama, argued that the Inspector General of Government (IGG), Beti Olive Namisango Kamya, was instituting parallel and additional criminal proceedings against her, which infringed on her right to a fair trial. They claimed that all charges levelled against Kitutu arose from one broad investigation concerning the alleged mismanagement of a supplementary budget for the Karamoja sub-region in the financial year 2021/2022.
In response, the IGG maintained that the offences Kitutu was charged with were not connected to the iron sheets case and were separate transactions. However, Justice Kihika emphasized the importance of ensuring a fair hearing for Kitutu, stating that her right to a fair trial should be strictly observed. He issued an order for a stay of the criminal proceedings until the civil appeal was conclusively determined.
The charges against Kitutu were initially filed alongside Geoffrey Sseremba, Deogratius Masagazi, and Tracy Atuhirwe from the Office of the Prime Minister. However, they were set free after the IGG withdrew the charges against them. The case revolves around allegations that Kitutu, during her time as the minister for Karamoja Affairs, failed to conduct peace-building activities in the region, leading to a significant financial loss to the government.
The Court of Appeal’s decision to halt the proceedings underscores the importance of upholding the right to a fair trial and ensuring that legal processes are conducted fairly and justly. Kitutu’s legal team continues to fight for her rights and maintain that the charges against her are unjust and lack a proper basis. As the legal battle unfolds, the outcome of the appeal will determine the next steps in this high-profile case.
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