State Minister for Karamoja Affairs, Agnes Nandutu, has appeared at the Anti-Corruption Court in Kololo, Kampala, following her arrest over the diversion of iron sheets meant to be relief items for the people of the restive Karamoja sub-region.
KAMPALA, UGANDA | NOW THEN DIGITAL — Agnes Nandutu, the State Minister for Karamoja Affairs, has appeared at the Anti-Corruption Court in Kololo, Kampala, following her arrest over the diversion of iron sheets meant for relief items in the restive Karamoja sub-region.
Arrested After Handing Herself In
Ms Nandutu, who is among the ministers and MPs under investigation in the iron sheets scandal, was arrested yesterday after handing herself in for questioning.
Prosecution Alleges Ms Nandutu’s Involvement
According to the prosecution, Ms Nandutu dealt with government property by receiving and holding 2,000 pre-painted iron sheets of gauge 28 in June 2022 at the Office of the Prime Minister’s stores in Namanve and Kkola Cell, Bulwanyi Parish, Mukono Municipality in Mukono District.
The prosecution also alleges that she had reason to believe that the iron sheets were acquired as a result of loss of public property, an offense under section 10(1) of the Anti-Corruption Act 2009.
Ministers and MPs Under Investigation
Ms Nandutu is the latest in a long list of ministers and MPs under investigation over the Karamoja iron sheets scandal, which has caused government embarrassment.
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Two ministers, Mary Gorreti Kitutu and Amos Lugolobi, have already been charged at the Anti-Corruption Court for causing government loss and corruption after iron sheets meant for relief materials were diverted and shared among several ministers, MPs, and technocrats in the government.
Struggle to Save Face
At least 20 ministers and 35 legislators across the country are facing scrutiny over the scandal, with the government struggling to save face.
Some of the most senior ministers who received the iron sheets include the Vice President, Jessica Alupo, the Prime Minister, Robinah Nabbanja, the Speaker of Parliament, Anita Among, and the Finance Minister, Matia Kasaija.
Police Send Files for Prosecution
Police spokesperson, Fred Enanga, revealed that the police have already sent several files to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for sanctioning. The investigation into the Karamoja iron sheets scandal is ongoing.
Senior ministers, including Vice President Jessica Alupo, Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja, Speaker of Parliament Anita Among, and Finance Minister Matia Kasaija, are among the most senior ministers implicated in the scandal.
VIDEO: State Minister for Karamoja Affairs, Agnes Nandutu, arrives at the Anti-Corruption Court in Kololo, Kampala. The minister is under investigation over the theft of iron sheets meant for the vulnerable in Karamoja. #NTVNews
📹: Christina Nabatanzi pic.twitter.com/GfpzYylRMH
— NTV UGANDA (@ntvuganda) April 19, 2023
Committed to High Court for Trial
On Wednesday, Ms Nandutu was committed to the High Court for trial by Anti-Corruption Court grade one magistrate Esther Asiimwe. She cannot apply for bail in the Anti-Corruption Court, and as a result, will need to make her bail application in the High Court if she so wishes.
Remanded to Luzira Prison
Ms Nandutu was remanded to Luzira Prison until May 3, 2023, when she is expected to appear before court for mention of her case.
This comes after the State attorney, Mr David Bisamuyu, told the court that inquiries into the case were complete, and that the Director of Public Prosecutions had given instructions to have the suspect committed to the High Court for trial.
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