By KT Reporter
Agnes Nandutu, the former State Minister for Karamoja, is expected to take the stand this afternoon to defend herself against charges of dealing with suspect property in connection with the diversion of iron sheets meant for vulnerable people in Karamoja.
The Anti-Corruption Court in Kampala ordered Nandutu to begin her defence today after ruling last year that she had a case to answer. However, when the court convened this morning, Nandutu’s lawyers — Nandah Wamukota, Evans Ochieng and Caleb Alaka — told presiding Judge Jane Okuo Kajuga that she was unwell and not ready to proceed.
They said she was still undergoing medical treatment and had not yet fully recovered. Ochieng said Nandutu continued to suffer from blood clots, and that her left leg was visibly swollen. “That doesn’t require a medical report. It is visible,” Ochieng told the court, adding that the condition had already been documented in earlier medical letters on record.
“We humbly seek an adjournment. Otherwise, my Lord, she will be able to abide by the directions you give,” he said. State Attorney David Bisamunyu opposed the application, noting that the defence had already sought three adjournments since February 19 when court ruled that Nandutu had a case to answer. He said the court had indulged them on March 12 and March 19.
“There’s no updated medical report to show that she is still sick,” Bisamunyu said. “If this were the prosecution seeking these adjournments, I can’t imagine the noise we’d be hearing. Justice must serve both sides.” He added: “What if the accused is sick for the next five years? Shall we wait for her to recover?” In response, defence lawyer Caleb Alaka said Nandutu was still undergoing medical treatment and was due for another review. He said they were ready to begin with their second and third witnesses, but those witnesses had not yet been prepared due to other engagements last week.
Justice Kajuga, however, was unimpressed. “All I hear is that the accused is sick but can conduct her normal day-to-day business,” she said. “I’m displeased that even today, you brought her to court only after a criminal summons had been issued.”
She noted that the defence had not filed any formal application and lacked a clear strategy. “I would like to know if the lawyers are claiming that the accused is either mentally or physically unable to speak or recollect events,” she added.
Nandutu sat quietly in court, slightly shielded from the judge’s view. Her left leg appeared visibly swollen, and she was visibly panting — a condition that has been reported since the trial began in 2023. Despite pleas from her lawyers that even a one-day adjournment would be helpful, Justice Kajuga ordered the defence to proceed at 1 pm, giving them two hours to prepare.
Nandutu is accused of dealing with 2,000 pre-painted iron sheets, which prosecutors say were part of relief items meant for vulnerable people in Karamoja. The iron sheets were recovered from her home during investigations. The prosecution alleges that she received the iron sheets between June and July 2022, knowing that they were public property.
During trial, five witnesses testified — including officials from the Office of the Prime Minister. Some said they were not sure where the iron sheets had come from. One key witness, Joshua Abaho — Personal Assistant to the Cabinet Minister for Karamoja Affairs — told the court that he had been instructed to give iron sheets to Nandutu, but was not part of the meeting where that decision was made.
In her ruling, Justice Kajuga said that although some witnesses like Undersecretary Godfrey Sseremba failed to clarify the source of the iron sheets, Abaho’s evidence was reliable because he was directly involved in the distribution. She added that even without the recovery of the iron sheets from Nandutu’s home, the evidence was sufficient to sustain a criminal charge.
The court also noted that no requisition form or documentation was showing that Nandutu was entitled to the iron sheets. She was present at the launch of the iron sheets distribution project, but the court found no evidence that she was supposed to receive any of them. Detective Superintendent of Police Winfred Nakatudde, the lead investigator, told the court that 1,617 iron sheets were recovered from Nandutu’s farm in Mukono. The remaining 383 were unaccounted for.
Three ministers were implicated in the iron sheets scandal. State Minister for Economic Planning Amos Lugoloobi has already begun his defence. His case resumes in May 2025. Former Minister Mary Gorreti Kitutu’s trial was halted after she filed a constitutional petition alleging torture while in custody.
The Inspectorate of Government has also accused Kitutu of causing financial loss of Shs1.5 billion by failing to conduct peace-building activities in Karamoja between February and June 2022. Nandutu is the second minister to be formally found with a case to answer-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
