The Anti-Corruption Court has halted proceedings against State Minister for Finance (Planning and Economic Development) Amos Lugoloobi in the Karamoja iron sheets case, bringing an end to his two-year legal battle.
Presiding judge Justice Jane Kajuga formally terminated the proceedings after the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) entered a nolle prosequi, a legal notice signifying the state’s decision to discontinue prosecution.
“This morning, as stated by counsel for the state, the matter was coming up for further defence hearing,” Justice Kajuga said while delivering her brief ruling. “We have not proceeded because a nolle prosequi has been presented by way of termination of proceedings.”
Justice Kajuga noted that under Article 120 of the Constitution, the DPP has the authority to determine whether to proceed with or withdraw criminal charges.
“Having proceeded with the nolle prosequi, the proceedings stand terminated,” the judge ruled.
“I discharge him with immediate effect.”
The court further directed that all funds deposited as bail, along with any certificates of title or other securities lodged by the minister, be refunded. His sureties were also discharged from their obligations.
“Mr Lugoloobi, you are a free man,” Justice Kajuga declared, before commending both the prosecution and defence for their professionalism throughout the case.
Mr Lugoloobi was arrested and indicted in June 2023 on two counts of dealing with suspect property, after allegedly diverting 700 iron sheets meant for vulnerable communities in the Karamoja sub-region.
He was among several ministers and government officials implicated in the Karamoja iron sheets saga, in which relief materials procured under the Office of the Prime Minister were allegedly distributed to politicians and other government actors.
During his defence earlier this year, Mr Lugoloobi denied wrongdoing, maintaining that he was being unfairly targeted. He told court that he had already returned the iron sheets following a directive from President Yoweri Museveni.
“As per the President’s directive, I returned 300 iron sheets that were not yet used, and for those that were already in use, I bought new ones and delivered them to OPM stores,” Mr Lugoloobi said during his testimony.
He further argued that the documents from the Office of the Prime Minister did not specify that the iron sheets were meant exclusively for Karamoja, and that it was common practice for legislators to receive such materials for community support in disaster-hit areas.
Mr Lugoloobi also questioned why other ministers who received similar materials – including Finance Minister Matia Kasaija and State Minister Henry Musasizi – were not prosecuted.
In 2023, the DPP, Justice Jane Frances Abodo, declined to sanction files against several other top government officials, citing lack of sufficient evidence.
With Tuesday’s ruling, all criminal proceedings against Minister Lugoloobi have officially been brought to an end.