A Ugandan cabinet minister charged over a scandal involving the theft of thousands of metal roofing sheets has been denied bail for a second time.
A magistrate at the anti-corruption court ruled that the sureties offered up by Mary Goretti Kitutu Kimono’s lawyers were not sufficient.
Mrs Kitutu was remanded in custody last Thursday after pleading not guilty to corruption over 14,500 corrugated iron sheets intended for vulnerable communities in the north-eastern Karamoja region that went missing.
The 60-year-old politician is the minister for the region that for decades has faced persistent droughts and flooding when it rains, leaving many in the semi-arid area dependent on aid.
At least 10 other senior government figures are alleged to have received some of the stolen metal sheets.
These include the vice-president, the prime minister, the parliamentary Speaker and other ministers.
Earlier this week, police said more files related to the scandal had been sent to the prosecutors and indictments may follow.
President Yoweri Museveni has said those who took the corrugated iron must return them or pay back the cash equivalent.
