The Anti-Corruption Court in Kampala is set to resume the trial of Agnes Nandutu, the State Minister for Karamoja Affairs and Bududa District Woman MP, on charges of diverting iron sheets intended for the Karamoja sub-region. The proceedings, presided over by High Court Judge Jane Okuo Kajuga, are scheduled to continue today.
Nandutu is represented by lawyers Evans Ochieng, Charles Nandaah Wamukoota, and John Nalela, while Chief State Prosecutor David Bisamunyu represents the state in the case.
In the previous court session, the senior assistant secretary of the Karamoja ministry, Joshua Abaho, testified that Minister Kitutu, Nandutu’s colleague, misused Karamoja iron sheets, diverting 9,000 of them to various individuals in Cabinet and Parliament. Abaho alleged that only 1,000 sheets reached Karamoja, despite the requisition of 10,000 pre-painted iron sheets for the region’s launch.
The witness disclosed that the distributed iron sheets were presented as donations to several dignitaries, including Nandutu, Vice President Jessica Alupo, Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja, Lands Minister Judith Nabakooba, and Finance State Minister Amos Lugoloobi. Lugoloobi is concurrently facing charges of dealing with suspect property before the same court.
Nandutu, facing charges under section 21A (1) of the Anti-Corruption Act, could be sentenced to seven years in prison if found guilty. The prosecution alleges that between June and July 2022, at OPM stores in Namanve and Kkola Cell, Bulwanyi Parish, Mukono district, Nandutu dealt with government property—2000 pre-painted iron sheets marked “Office of the Prime Minister”—which she had reason to believe were obtained through the loss of public property.
Minister Kitutu, alongside her brother Micheal Kitutu Naboya and personal assistant Joshua Abaho, also faces charges of loss of public property and conspiracy to defraud at the Anti-Corruption Court.
