The iron sheets scandal has returned to the spotlight, with former Karamoja Affairs State Minister Agnes Nandutu once again the center of attention. This case, which could rival a soap opera for its twists and turns, resumed today, July 31, 2024, at the Anti-Corruption Court in Kampala.
Judge Jane Okuo Kajuga is presiding over this riveting courtroom saga, trying to untangle the mess of missing iron sheets.
Nandutu, who is not only a former state minister but also the Bududa District Woman MP, has enlisted a legal team of Evans Ochieng, Charles Nandaah Wamukoota, and John Nalela. This trio is tasked with defending their client in a case that’s become the talk of the town.
Meanwhile, the state is represented by chief prosecutor David Bisamunyu, who, like a diligent village elder, is determined to see justice served.
In the previous court session, Superintendent of Police Winfred Nakatudde, from the State House Anti-Corruption Unit (SHACU), dropped a bombshell. According to her testimony, the security operatives, despite their best efforts, failed to recover 383 iron sheets from Nandutu. Yes, you heard that right—383 iron sheets are still missing, like a village goat that vanished without a trace.
Nakatudde revealed that out of 2,000 iron sheets originally under scrutiny, only 1,617 were recovered from Nandutu’s farm in Mukono District. The remaining 383 sheets are, as she put it, “nowhere to be seen.” This is like finding your prized Matooke plantation half-harvested but with the best bunches mysteriously gone.
Nandutu is now grappling with charges of dealing with suspect property under Section 21A (1) of the Anti-Corruption Act. If the court finds her guilty, she could face a seven-year stint behind bars.
The prosecution alleges that between June and July 2022, Nandutu was involved with 2,000 iron sheets marked “Office of the Prime Minister,” which were supposed to benefit the Karamoja sub-region. Instead, it appears Nandutu might have had a change of heart, or perhaps, a change of inventory.
| Allegation | Details |
|---|---|
| Missing Iron Sheets | 383 sheets out of 2,000 unaccounted for |
| Date of Alleged Incident | June to July 2022 |
| Locations Involved | OPM stores in Namanve and Mukono district |
| Charges | Dealing with suspect property, contravening Anti-Corruption Act |
Will the missing iron sheets ever reappear? Or will they remain as elusive as a plot twist in a Bunyoro epic? Either way, Nandutu’s case is shaping up to be one for the books, full of suspense and unexpected turns.
So, stay tuned, as this courtroom thriller continues to unravel.
