Ministers implicated in iron Sheets scandal hiding from Museveni

President Museveni has always been swarmed by his ministers whenever they chance on him in the vicinity. Indeed, the most interesting day for many ministers has been Cabinet Day on Monday when every minister wants to appear, maybe there could be a chance to have a one-on-one with the boss.

Several meetings that involve ministers drag a lot because each minister wants to express themselves in the presence of the President. A few times when the president walks out and leaves them to discuss amongst themselves, the meetings come to a temporary stop, with members showing disinterest.

A source intimates to Nile Post that many times when the president is unavailable or leaves the cabinet meetings to have other engagements, Ministers too move out and make side meetings by the State House cafeteria.

Nile Post now understands that meetings lately involving the president and the ministers have become tense and complicated.

“The Ministers mostly implicated in the Mabati (iron sheets) scandal are distant, they do not appear for meetings if they do come late or leave so early,” the source claims.

“Some have obtained a body language that is expressive to the President, from a distance, they want the president to read their remorse, they are over respecting him, bowing, and doing all sorts of signs to convince him,” the source adds.

In the last cabinet meeting, President Museveni opened the lid on the iron sheets saga, asking for the Minister of Karamoja, Mary Kitutu to explain the reports surrounding the diversion of iron sheets meant for Karamoja.

Katutu was not in the meeting, she had sneaked out earlier after getting wind that the President would hint on the matter, but she never returned.

Her Deputy Agnes Nandutu endured a torrid time with the President who continue referring to her and her boss as “thieves”.

In the meeting, President Museveni shot down Prime Minister Nabbanja who insisted on making explanations on behalf of Nandutu and Katutu, much to the excitement of other ministers who did not partake of the iron sheets bonanza.

The cabinet agreed with Museveni that those involved in the iron sheets bonanza are charged with abuse of office.

Ministers start hiding

Following the stand by Museveni and fellow cabinet members, ministers implicated started disappearing from his presence.

A few days later, President Museveni was travelling to Algiers, Algeria for a State Visit, however, as is the norm for Ministers to cling to him during travels while others would seek last-minute whispers with him at the airport before he boards the presidential jet, this time he they were nowhere to be seen.

On return, several ministers were nowhere to be seen, even in the next events at State House Entebbe.

Before, leaving for Algiers, Museveni met Kitutu privately at State House Entebbe the day before. It is not clear what their discussion was.

In a previous address to Members of Parliament, there was no scramble for Ministers to sit on the first row while Museveni addressed MPs.  The Ministers instead chose to sit far from Museveni except for those dictated by a protocol like the Prime Minister and Vice President who suffered with their facial expressions as the address continued.