Kitutu challenged the trial in 2023, shortly after she was charged for diverting over 10,000 iron sheets from the intended Karamoja Community Empowerment Program on grounds that she was tortured while in state custody and that her trial should instead be halted on that basis.
Prosecution led by Chief State Attorney David Bisamunyu and Jonathan Muwaganya said it is the second time the State comes to Court with its witnesses ready to prosecute the Minister but the Defense is still not ready to proceed.
During the hearing, Nandutu's lawyers, led by Caleb Alaka, objected to proceeding with the case, citing imprecise, ambiguous, and vague charges that could potentially infringe upon her right to a fair hearing.
Lugoloobi faces a seven-year jail term or a fine not exceeding 160 currency points (3.2 million Shillings) or both, upon conviction. He is the second Minister to be arraigned before the Anti-Corruption Court over the Karamoja Iron Sheets scandal.
The State Minister for Planning under the Finance Ministry Amos Lugoloobi has been arrested in relation to diversion of iron sheets for the vulnerable poor people of Karamoja.
In an interview with the Public Relations Officer in the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions-OPP Jacquelyn Okui, more suspects will be arraigned in Court for their different roles in the diversion of the iron sheets.
The activists who are members of the Revolution Against Dictatorship -RAD and Torture Survivors Movement pressure groups carried iron sheets demanding the government to give justice to the vulnerable people of the Karamojong sub-region who were the intended beneficiaries of the iron sheets.
