Hakuna mchezo as State house continues to net big fish in Karamoja iron sheet scandal

By John Kabagambe

KAMPALA-UGANDA/NEWSDAY: It‘s not summer time for scores of big shots in government, ministers and Members of Parliy who allegedly soiled their hands by getting hold of corrugated iron sheets meant for the Karamojong.

The latest culprit who was on Wednesday sent to Luzira Prison on remand is

Understandably, for the culprits, the Senior Assistant Secretary (SAS), Ministry of Karamoja Affairs, Abaho Joshua was Thursday remanded charges of Corruption & Conspiracy to defraud following the diversion of iron sheets meant for the Karachunas of Karamoja.

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Understandably, for the culprits, the seasonal cold nights are akin to peak time winter, as the hitherto untouchable big fish see themselves fished out one by one, by the indefatigable *Brig Gen Isoke*-led State House Anti-corruption unit (SH-ACU).

To that, we add our voice to that of President Museveni who has commended the commitment, dedication and untiring efforts of SH-ACU in combating corruption generally, and in expediting the seamless investigations into the iron sheets scandal. Well done SH-ACU.

The iron sheets scandal has generated unprecedented public interest, and the public waits with bated breath and anticipation for the list of the culprits to be exhausted by ensuring each get their fair share of court room appearance.

That high level big shots (such as ministers) can be collared by SHA-CU is a triumph in the war on corruption, because while SHA-CU had (for the most) arrested and exposed local government corruption, it is now openly fishing out big shots, and that sends a signal, that SH-ACU is leaving no stone unturned and no one is safe.

Elsewhere, *Ruth Achimo* Soroti University’s former University Secretary (who had previously been arrested by SHA-CU and charged with abuse of office, fraudulent false accounting and diverting University capital development funds to the tune of more than a billion) was convicted and earned herself a 20 year jail term, while Nebbi Town clerk *Ongwen Patrick* was netted and charged with abuse of office, forgery and conspiracy to defraud.