Mary Goretti Kitutu Kimono, the former Minister for Karamoja, is selling a significant asset while embroiled in a high-profile corruption scandal.
Kitutu, dismissed by President Yoweri Museveni in March 2024, faces charges related to the misappropriation of metal roofing sheets meant for vulnerable Karamoja communities.
The scandal alleges that Kitutu diverted thousands of corrugated iron sheets intended for Karamoja, a region struggling with droughts and flooding, to her relatives and officials instead of distributing them to those in need.
Kitutu and her brother, Michael Naboya Kitutu, pleaded not guilty but were initially jailed before securing bail.
However, in April, the Court of Appeal halted the criminal proceedings against Kitutu in the Anti-Corruption Court.
Justice Oscar Kihika, sitting alone, ruled that continuing the case could cause irreparable damage to Kitutu given the pending appeal challenging the legality of the charges.
Kitutu is accused of causing a financial loss of 1.5 billion shillings to the government, intended for peace-building activities in Karamoja.
While out on bail and largely absent from the public eye, Kitutu has listed a block of eight apartments for sale at 1.2 billion shillings.
Constructed during her tenure as Minister of Energy—a position linked to lucrative opportunities—the property is being sold under discreet conditions.
Brokers have refused to disclose the location, sharing details only with serious buyers.
Kitutu’s decision to liquidate her assets suggests a strategy to secure her wealth amid ongoing legal battles.
This move reflects a broader trend among high-profile figures facing legal scrutiny.
The iron sheet scandal also implicated several senior officials, including the vice-president, prime minister, and parliamentary Speaker. Some officials apologized and returned the stolen sheets, while others denied having requested for them.
