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KAMPALA, UGANDA:

The Minister of State for Karamoja, Hon. Agnes Nandutu has been committed to the High Court for trial over corruption-related charges in the mismanagement of iron sheets that were meant for the people of Karamoja sub-region.

Nandutu was arraigned before the Anti-Corruption Court in Kololo o Wednesday after spending a night in police cells at Kira Division headquarters over the scandal.

Presiding over a filled courtroom this afternoon, the Anti-Corruption Court grade one magistrate Esther Asiimwe charged the minister with counts of dealing with suspect property contrary to section 21A (1) of the Anti-Corruption Act,2009 (As Amended).

State Prosecution told court that during the month of June 2022, at the OPM stores Namanve, Mukono District and Kkola cell, Bulwanyi Parish in Mukono district, Minister Nandutu dealt with 2000 pre-painted iron sheets of gauge 28 by receiving and holding the said iron sheets 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.

“I have instructions from the DPP to have the suspect committed to the High Court for trial. The committal papers are before you my lord,” State attorney, Mr David Bisamuyu said before an indictment was read and the minister committed.

The Magistrate, therefore, said she cannot hear the Bududa Woman MP’s bail application following her committal. “The accused is hereby committed for trial in the next court session.”

Nandutu was henceforth remanded to Luzira Prison until May 3, 2023, when she’s expected to appear before the High Court for mention of her case

The charges against the minister stem from an ongoing investigation into the iron sheets scandal, which has already seen two of her fellow ministers, Mary Goretti Kitutu and Amos Lugoloobi, arrested and charged by the same court.

The former NTV news anchor is said to have received a whopping total of 2,000 iron sheets she took from the Office of the Prime Minister and has been struggling to make accountability for the same ever since the sage became a news topic in the country.

Her case is the latest in a series of corruption scandals to rock the Ugandan government, with several high-ranking officials, including ministers and lawmakers, facing charges of fraud and embezzlement.

The scandal which has attracted widespread attention has left many Ugandans expressing outrage at the alleged diversion of resources intended for the country’s most vulnerable citizens.

More ministers implicated in the saga are expected to follow President Museveni’s directive issued in an April 3 letter stating that they refund the mabaati (roofing items) or the equivalent money in value.

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Minister Nandutu committed to high court for trial, remanded to Luzira

 

 The Minister of State for Karamoja, Hon. Agnes Nandutuhas arrived at Anti-Corruption Court in Kololo to answer charges related to the alleged mismanagement of Iron sheets meant for the people of Karamoja.

Nandutu arrived at the court in Kololo at around 11 am on Wednesday, April 19, clad in a multicolour kitenge dress and greeted journalists with a warm smile before being taken away by counter-terrorism police officers into the dock.

The charges against the minister stem from an ongoing investigation into the iron sheets scandal, which has already seen two of her fellow ministers, Mary Goretti Kitutu and Amos Lugoloobi, arrested and charged.

State Minister for Karamoja Affairs, Ms Agnes Nandutu has been arraigned at the Anti-Corruption Court in Kololo, Kampala following her arrest over diversion of iron sheets meant to be relief items for the people of the restive Karamoja sub region.
She was Wednesday charged with dealing with suspect property contrary to section 21A (1) of the Anti-Corruption Act,2009 (As Amended) before she was committed to High Court for trial.

Police Deputy spokesperson CP Polly Namaye yesterday confirmed Nandutu’s arrest and said the minister who was detained at Kira Division Police Station in Wakiso was set to appear in court once her file is processed.

The minister had yesterday (Tuesday) handed herself over to the police at CID Headquarters in Kibuli in relation to the ongoing investigations about the iron sheets scandal where she was assigned detectives to take her statement.

“The file has been submitted to the office of the DPP for further guidance and possible sanctioning,” Namaye added in a police statement on Tuesday evening, adding “This action has saved the police time and resources, and it is worth emulating when in similar circumstances.”

The Bududa district Woman legislator becomes the third minister after Amos Lugoloobi and Goretti Kitutu to be held and arraigned before the anti-corruption over the mismanagement of the relief items meant for Karamoja.

Nandutu is said to have received a whopping total of 2,000 iron sheets she took from the Office of the Prime Minister and has been struggling to make accountability for the same ever since the sage became a news topic in the country.

Last week, she told journalists at parliament that she was looking for money to purchase the missing iron sheets following a directive from President Yoweri Museveni to Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja, instructing ministers to return the diverted iron sheets.

However, DailyExpress authoritatively confirms that the minister had sought refuge at one of her sisters’ homes but later bowed to pressure after police spokesperson Fred Enanga on Monday said she risked being arrested if she did not honour the summons by the law enforcement body.

More ministers implicated in the saga are expected to follow President Museveni’s directive issued in an April 3 letter stating that they refund the mabaati (roofing items) or the equivalent money in value. The ministers allege that Karamoja Affairs Minister Mary Goretti Kitutu sold them the idea to apply for the iron sheets.

Source:Daily Express and Daily Monitor