By Gilbert Akampa Kakurugu
KAMPALA
The Anti-Corruption Court has convicted former State Minister for Karamoja Affairs, Agnes Nandutu, for diverting 2,000 iron sheets that had been earmarked for vulnerable communities in Karamoja.
Justice Jane Auko Kajuga, presiding over the case, cancelled Nandutu’s bail and ordered her remand to Luzira Prison until Friday, when sentencing will be delivered. The judge noted that Nandutu failed to provide any requisition documents to justify her claim that the iron sheets were intended for her constituents in Bududa.
Prosecution evidence revealed that while 10,000 iron sheets were requisitioned for the official launch of the program, only 1,000 were used for the intended purpose. The remaining 9,000 allegedly “disappeared” and were later traced to beneficiaries outside the target communities.
Nandutu faces a possible seven-year prison sentence if found guilty at the final hearing scheduled for Friday.
Beyond Agnes Nandutu, at least 22 cabinet ministers and 30 MPs were implicated in Uganda’s iron sheets scandal, including top government figures such as Vice President Jessica Alupo, Speaker Anita Among, Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja, and Finance Minister Matia Kasaija though the rest pleaded innocent and others were never touched.
