House committee which carried out separate inquiries into the Karamoja iron sheets scandal has presented its report to Parliament, recommending the trial of only three out of 15 ministers, excusing other top officials named in the scam from prosecution.

The Committee on Presidential Affairs was set up in February at the direction of Speaker Anita Among, who is herself alleged to have unlawfully received 500 iron sheets.

It was recommended that Among, who replaced what she took in April following a presidential directive, should say sorry to the people of Karamoja and Uganda.

However, some lawyers say these recommendations do not shield implicated officials from criminal liability.

Wandera Ogalo, a senior lawyer, says if the DPP has evidence against anybody, she is independent in her operations.

Ogalo’s comments reflect the views of President Museveni who, months ago, indicated that Parliament had no business inquiring into a criminal matter already under police investigation.

The DPP and police are preparing to prosecute a yet to be unknown number of ministers, MPs and officials for what President Museveni has denounced as political corruption, theft and the undermining of national security.

Citing Rule 73 of Parliament’s Rules of Procedure, Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa, who chaired yesterday’s sitting, deferred debate on the report because of ongoing criminal proceedings.

Former president of the Uganda Law Society, Pheona Wall Nabbasa, warned that the perceived exoneration of individuals who were found to have unlawfully benefitted from the diversion of the iron sheets sets a bad precedent.