The Inspectorate of Government levelled serious charges against Hon. Mary Goretti Kitutu, the Minister in charge of Karamoja Affairs, and other three high-ranking officials from the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM).

The charges centre around alleged financial mismanagement and corruption, raising concerns about the integrity of government operations.

The charges stem from an amendment by the Inspectorate of Government against seven OPM officials. The Inspectorate dropped charges against five individuals but maintained accusations against the Accounting Officer, Sseremba Geoffrey, and the Head of the Department of Pacification and Development Programme in OPM, Deogratius Masagazi. The amendment introduced Minister Kitutu and the Head of Accounts at OPM, Atuhirwe Tracy.

The charges specify that Minister Kitutu, between February and June 2022, failed to conduct various peace-building activities in the Karamoja sub-region. This alleged omission is said to have resulted in a financial loss of Shs1,555,365,000 (One Billion, Five Hundred Fifty-Five Million, Three Hundred Sixty-Five Thousand Shillings) to the government.

In response to the charges, the Anti-Corruption Court in Kampala on Wednesday issued Criminal Summons to Minister Kitutu and Atuhirwe Tracy, compelling them to appear on February 29, 2024.