Reported by Kerry Howard Mwesigwa
It was a day of reckoning for Abaho Joshua, Senior Assistant Secretary at the Ministry of Karamoja Affairs, as he appeared in court on 27th April 2023 facing charges of corruption and conspiracy to commit a felony to which he pleaded not guilty. The charges stemmed from the alleged diversion and misappropriation of iron sheets meant for the Karamoja sub-region.
This is not an isolated incident, as it comes on the heels of the Minister of Karamoja Affairs, Kitutu, being charged with similar offenses in the same case. Kitutu was charged alongside Abaho Joshua and Nabwoya Michael, a peasant resident of Namisib district.
The charges against Abaho Joshua and his co-accused are grave and have far-reaching consequences. The diversion of resources meant for the Karamoja sub-region is not only an act of corruption, but a betrayal of the trust placed in public officials by the people they serve. The consequences of this diversion are severe, as they undermine efforts to develop the sub-region and improve the lives of the people living there.
Abaho Joshua was not present in court for the initial hearing on 12th April due to an urgent medical condition affecting his wife. His counsel had requested and was granted an adjournment although court issued a summons to compel him to appear in court after dealing with the situation. Abaho has been remanded until the 2nd of May 2023.
