State Minister for Finance Amos Lugoloobi’s lawyers have asked the Anti-Corruption Court to dismiss charges against him, citing lack of evidence.
Defense lawyer John Isabirye argued that the prosecution’s evidence was unreliable and failed to prove essential elements of the offenses.
“The accused did not have reason to believe he was dealing with suspect property. If the iron sheets were pre-painted with ‘Karamoja,’ he would have known they were government property,” Isabirye submitted.
Prosecution lawyer Josephine Namatovu countered that a prima facie case had been established, demonstrating sufficient evidence to support the charges as the defense did not dispute receiving iron sheets but highlighted contradictions which was not true.
The court heard that only 1,000 iron sheets were taken from Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) stores, leaving 9,000 sheets distributed among select ministers, including Lugoloobi, authorized by the Minister of Karamoja Affairs.
Prosecution alleges Lugoloobi dealt with government property, specifically 400 pre-painted iron sheets marked “Office of the Prime Minister,” between July 14, 2022, and February 2023. Additionally, he allegedly dealt with suspect property, 300 pre-painted iron sheets, between February 1 and March 16, 2023.
Documentary evidence against Lugoloobi includes: terms and conditions as a minister of state, guidelines for iron sheet distribution. work plan for distribution, schedule of recipients, scenes of crime officer reports, search certificates, OPM goods received notes,exhibit slips
The trial judge adjourned the case until November 14 for a ruling on whether Lugoloobi has a case to answer.
Lugoloobi’s defense team maintains that the prosecution has failed to provide sufficient evidence, while the prosecution insists that a prima facie case has been established. The outcome of this case will depend on the court’s assessment of the evidence presented.
