news 31 August 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Kitutu's Corruption Trial Delayed Again Pending Court of Appeal Decision
The corruption trial of former Karamoja Affairs Minister Mary Goretti Kitutu has been postponed to October 12 due to a pending appeal at the Court of Appeal. The High Court has stayed criminal proceedings to await the outcome of Kitutu's challenge regarding alleged human rights violations during her investigation. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/ex-minister-kitutu-corruption-trial-delayed-over-pending-court-of-appeal-case-5577566
The corruption trial of former Karamoja Affairs Minister Mary Goretti Kitutu has been adjourned once more, this time until October 12. The delay is attributed to a case currently before the Court of Appeal concerning Kitutu’s allegations of human rights abuses during her investigation.
Appearing before Justice David Makumbi at the Anti-Corruption Court on Monday, Kitutu’s lawyer, Jude Byamukama, informed the court that the appeal had not yet been decided. “The matter is pending judgment,” Byamukama stated, leading Justice Makumbi to rule that the court had no alternative but to adjourn the proceedings.
The prosecution, represented by Chief State Attorney Richard Birivumbuka, acknowledged the scheduled mention of the case. However, issues also arose regarding communication about the hearing date, with co-accused and Kitutu’s brother, Michael Naboya Kitutu, reportedly being in Namisindwa after receiving a different return date.
Justice Makumbi issued a criminal summons for Michael Kitutu to appear on the new date. This latest postponement stems from an appeal filed by Mary Goretti Kitutu after the Anti-Corruption Division had initially stayed her criminal proceedings to address her human rights challenge.
Kitutu had argued that her prosecution violated her rights, citing denial of food and legal access, prolonged detention, and mistreatment. These claims were dismissed by the Anti-Corruption Division judge in November 2023, but the criminal trial was subsequently stayed pending the appeal.
The judge at the time deemed it potentially futile and costly to proceed with the criminal trial while the human rights allegations remained unresolved, particularly those concerning non-derogable rights.
Mary Goretti Kitutu, her brother Michael Naboya Kitutu, and Joshua Abaho, a senior assistant secretary at the Office of the Prime Minister, were indicted in August 2023. They face charges including causing loss of public property, conspiracy to defraud, and possession of suspect property, all related to the alleged diversion of government-procured iron sheets meant for vulnerable communities in the Karamoja sub-region. All accused deny the charges.