Iron sheets scandal: Nandutu defence hits snag

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The defence hearing of former Karamoja affairs state minister Agnes Nandutu, who is accused of diverting iron sheets intended for the Karamoja sub-region, has hit a snag for the third time after the court was informed, she was unavailable due to bereavement.

Lawyer Evans Ochieng told the Anti-Corruption Court, presided over by Justice Jane Okuo Kajuga, that Nandutu, who is also the Bududa District Woman MP, had lost her father and sister last week.

Nandutu had been expected to appear in court to commence her defence as previously directed by the judge.

Ochieng presented a letter dated May 2, 2025, explaining the passing of Nandutu’s father, Nathan Kusolo.

The defence counsel also revealed that Nandutu’s sister died shortly after their father’s burial on Saturday.

Milton Kamonti, the LC5 chairperson of Bududa and one of Nandutu’s sureties, was present in court. The defence lawyer requested an adjournment to allow Nandutu to appear during the next court session.

The prosecution, led by Chief State Attorney David Bisamunyu, said they had received the letter and would not object to the adjournment.

Bisamunyu also noted that a court-ordered medical examination of Nandutu had yet to be carried out. He requested a two-week extension to enable completion of the medical review.

The judge granted the request, extending the order by two weeks and adjourning the case until 10 June for the defence hearing.

On the previous two occasions, Nandutu also failed to appear in court, citing ill health.

Her legal team presented medical records from Nakasero Hospital, which indicate that Nandutu is suffering from bilateral pulmonary embolism—a serious condition in which blood clots block blood flow in the lungs, potentially resulting in life-threatening complications.

Allegations

Nandutu is facing charges of dealing with suspect property. Under Section 21A (1) of the Anti-Corruption Act, the offence carries a maximum sentence of seven years’ imprisonment upon conviction.

Prosecutors allege that between June and July 2022, at the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) stores in Namanve and Kkola cell, Bulwanyi parish, Mukono district, Nandutu dealt with government property—specifically, 2,000 pre-painted iron sheets of gauge 28 marked “Office of the Prime Minister”.

She is accused of receiving and holding the items despite having reason to believe they had been acquired as a result of the loss of public property, contrary to Section 10 (1) of the Anti-Corruption Act 2009.

Meanwhile, Mary Goretti Kitutu, the Manafwa district Woman MP, faces two counts of loss of public property and conspiracy to defraud. She is charged alongside her brother, Michael Kitutu Naboya, and her personal assistant, Joshua Abaho, at the Anti-Corruption Court.