By Our Reporter
The Anti-Corruption Division of the High Court has sentenced former Karamoja Affairs Minister and Bududa District Woman Member of Parliament Agnes Nandutu to four years in prison for her role in the illegal acquisition and possession of government iron sheets intended for vulnerable communities in Karamoja.
The court found Nandutu guilty of dealing with suspect property, concluding that she knowingly received and retained 2,000 pre-painted iron sheets marked for a government programme aimed at supporting Karachuna and other vulnerable groups in the Karamoja sub-region.
Trial judge Jane Okuo ruled that the time Nandutu spent on remand will be deducted from her final sentence. The court further ordered that all recovered iron sheets be returned to government custody.
In addition to the prison sentence, the court barred Nandutu from holding public office for a period of ten years, citing the seriousness of the offence and findings contained in the offence impact assessment report.
During mitigation, Nandutu made an emotional plea for leniency, apologizing to the people of Karamoja, the President, and her constituents. She also cited health challenges, including lung complications, and highlighted her responsibilities as a single mother of seven and caregiver to her elderly mother.
She further told court that she had already returned the iron sheets and compensated for those that were missing, asking the court to consider a non-custodial sentence.
However, the prosecution, represented by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, opposed a lighter sentence, arguing that the offence was premeditated and that the iron sheets remained in her possession for several months before recovery was prompted by investigations.
Court documents revealed that the iron sheets were part of a larger government consignment procured under a supplementary budget to support disarmament and community empowerment programmes in Karamoja. Investigators further established that out of the thousands of sheets stored in Namanve, a portion was diverted under questionable allocations.
Following the ruling, the court emphasized accountability in the management of public resources, noting that leaders must be held responsible when entrusted with state assets.
Nandutu’s conviction marks one of the most high-profile corruption-related sentences involving a former cabinet minister in recent years, sending a strong message on public sector accountability and anti-corruption enforcement.
