Court issues criminal summons to state minister Lugoloobi

Court has issued a criminal summons to the state minister for finance and planning Amos Lugoloobi following a request by state prosecutor Safina Bireke.

Bireke’s move comes after the minister failed to turn up for mention of his case.

The summons which was issued on Friday by the chief magistrate, Moses Nabende, comes after Lugoloobi’s lawyers told the court that the minister was out of the country for official duties.

“The trial magistrate in this case is indisposed and since the accused is not present, this case is adjourned. A criminal summons is issued for him to appear in court on June 29,” said Nabende.

Lugoloobi is accused of dealing with stolen government property.

The prosecution alleges at Lugoloobi while at the office of the Prime Minister Stores in Namanve in Mukono District and at different places in Matuga, Wakiso District and Ntenjeru North Constituency in Kayunga District dealt with government property that is 700 repainted iron sheets marked ‘Office of the Prime Minister.

The said iron sheets were reportedly acquired as a result of loss of property an offence under section 10 (1) of the Anti-Corruption Court.

The iron sheets were obtained in two phases – 400 iron sheets were obtained between July 14, 2022, and February 2023, and another batch of 300 iron sheets was obtained between February 1, 2023, and March 16, 2023.