Iron sheets scandal: Nandutu starts defence Monday

KAMPALA - The former Karamoja affairs state minister Agnes Nandutu, who is accused of diverting iron sheets meant for the Karamoja sub-region, is scheduled to start defending herself today, April 14, 2025, at the Anti-Corruption Court in Kampala.

Nandutu, also the Bududa district Woman MP, was expected to start her defence on March 12, 2025, but she did not turn up in court, citing ill health.

Her lawyers, led by Caleb Alaka, presented medical documents from Nakasero Hospital, indicating that Nandutu is suffering from bilateral pulmonary embolism, a serious condition where blood clots obstruct blood flow in the lungs, potentially leading to life-threatening complications.

Other defence lawyers include Evans Ochieng, Charles Nandaah Wamukoota and John Nalela.

The court was presided over by Justice Jane Okuo Kajuga.

However, Chief State Attorney David Bisamunyu accused Nandutu of falsely claiming she is sick to delay the trial in the iron sheets case.

He questioned the validity of Nandutu’s illness, saying she was at the Constitutional Court on March 6, 2025, for the hearing of a case in which she seeks to halt her trial on grounds that the charge of dealing with suspect property slapped against her is illegal.

Under section 21A (1) of the Anti-Corruption Act, the offence attracts a maximum sentence of seven years in prison on conviction.

Allegations

Prosecution alleges that Nandutu between June and July 2022, at the OPM stores in Namanve, and in Kkola Cell, Bulwanyi Parish, Mukono district, dealt with government property, namely, 2000 pre-painted iron sheets of gauge 28 marked “Office of the Prime Minister”, by receiving and holding the items, which she had reason to believe were acquired as a result of loss of public property, an offence under Section 10 (1) of the Anti-Corruption Act 2009.

On the other hand, Kitutu, who is the Manafwa district Woman Member of Parliament, faces two counts of loss of public property and conspiracy to defraud at the Anti-Corruption Court together with her brother, Michael Kitutu Naboya and personal assistant Joshua Abaho.