Uganda minister pleads not guilty over graft scandal

A Ugandan government minister who has been remanded in custody in connection with a corruption scandal involving the theft of thousands of metal roofing sheets has pleaded not guilty in court.

Mary Goretti Kitutu, the minister of the north-eastern Karamoja region, was denied bail and will spent Easter weekend in jail.

The metal sheets were intended for vulnerable communities in Ms Kitutu’s region.

Her brother was charged with receiving stolen property.

Officials say at least 10 other government figures including the vice-president, the prime minister and the speaker of parliament received some of the stolen roofing sheets.

The prime minister has apologised and urged other officials to return the sheets.

One minister was recently forced to remove some from the roof of his goat shed.

President Yoweri Museveni has called for the prosecution of all those involved.

By BBC