Updated by Faith Barbara N Ruhinda at 1408 EAT on Friday 25 July 2025

Agnes Nandutu, the former Minister for Karamoja Affairs, appeared before the Anti-Corruption Court on Thursday to continue her defence in the iron sheets scandal.

She is accused of mishandling property—specifically iron sheets intended for vulnerable communities in Karamoja. In an unsworn testimony before Lady Justice Jane Okuo Kajuga, Nandutu stated that her actions were driven by a desire to support residents affected by disasters in her home district of Bududa.

Nandutu told the court that after landslides ravaged parts of Bududa, displacing families and destroying schools, the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), under Robinah Nabbanja, committed to providing assistance for relocation efforts.

Nandutu explained that the decision followed a 2021 field visit involving herself, Robinah Nabbanja, and then-Minister for Disaster Preparedness Mary Goretti Kitutu. According to Nandutu, Kitutu later informed her that 2,000 iron sheets had been allocated for Bududa.

She noted that transporting and distributing the materials required close coordination with the chief administrative officer to identify the most affected individuals across ten sub-counties. Nandutu emphasized that the distribution was intended to be transparent, with beneficiary lists submitted back to the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM).

However, she said the process was delayed for several months due to health complications. Nandutu expressed shock at media reports alleging that some iron sheets were being sold in Manafwa district.

At an emergency meeting chaired by the Prime Minister, Mary Goretti Kitutu reportedly attributed the mishandling to her brother, citing intoxication as a contributing factor.

According to Nandutu, Robinah Nabbanja stated that the police had taken over the investigation and emphasized that all involved parties must take responsibility.

“I never sold any of the iron sheets under my control,” Nandutu told the court, adding that over 300 iron sheets were recovered from her farm in Seeta-Mukono during a police operation conducted while she was away.

She also noted that she subsequently paid Shs 26 million—the equivalent value of the unaccounted iron sheets—as compensation. Her appearance in court follows criminal summons issued three weeks prior.

In January of this year, Nandutu was found to have a case to answer and is currently defending herself against charges arising from a scandal that initially implicated several high-ranking government officials, including the Vice President, Prime Minister, and Speaker of Parliament.

However, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) chose not to proceed with their cases due to insufficient evidence.

Nandutu is the second minister formally required to defend herself in court, following State Minister for Economic Planning Amos Lugoloobi, who has completed his defence and is preparing to call additional witnesses.

Meanwhile, the trial of Mary Goretti Kitutu is currently on hold pending an appeal concerning alleged torture during her time in state custody.

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