Agnes Nandutu, the former State Minister for Karamoja Affairs, has confessed to receiving iron sheets meant for vulnerable communities. She made the admission while appearing before the Anti-Corruption Court, following several missed appearances.
Nandutu was summoned after failing to appear in court on four prior occasions to defend herself. Earlier, the court had also summoned her sureties—Bulambuli Elgon North MP Gerald Nangoli, Budadiri West MP Nandala Mafabi, and Bududa District Chairperson Milton Kamooti—who were likewise absent.
In her defense, Nandutu acknowledged receiving the iron sheets but claimed they were given to her by then-Minister for Karamoja Affairs, Dr. Mary Goretti Kitutu. She explained that she was in the process of distributing them to residents of Bududa District, who had been affected by devastating landslides.
She added that she had been consulting local leaders to assess the potential beneficiaries. However, investigators revealed that 300 iron sheets were recovered from her home in Seeta. Nandutu stated she could not verify the exact number because the iron sheets were collected in her absence. She further claimed to have returned the remaining sheets and paid Shs 26 million to compensate for the 300 pieces.
In January 2023, Dr. Mary Goretti Kitutu, who also serves as the Woman MP for Manafwa District, authorized the distribution of over 12,200 pre-painted iron sheets labeled “Office of the Prime Minister” to various ministers and legislators.
Notable recipients of the roofing materials included Vice President Jessica Alupo, Speaker of Parliament Anita Among, Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja, Minister for Lands Judith Nabakooba, and Minister for Ethics and Integrity Rose Lilly Akello.
Other beneficiaries were State Minister for Primary Education Moriku Kaducu, former Speaker Rebecca Kadaga, State Minister for Defence Jacob Markson Oboth, Third Deputy Prime Minister Rukia Nakadama, Finance Minister Matia Kasaija, Minister Kitutu herself, Government Chief Whip Denis Obua, Amos Lugoloobi, State Minister for Agriculture Bwiino Kyakulaga, and Agnes Nandutu, among others.
Some officials—including Nabakooba, Nandutu, Kasaija, and Among—returned the iron sheets to the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) stores in Namannve. Interestingly, although each iron sheet was procured at Shs 71,000, ministers were allowed to repay only Shs 68,000 per sheet.
Of all the beneficiaries, only Dr. Kitutu and her brother Michael Kitutu Naboya, Agnes Nandutu, and Amos Lugoloobi have faced criminal charges.
Dr. Kitutu and her brother are battling six charges, including loss of public property, corruption, receiving stolen property, and conspiracy to defraud. Nandutu is charged with dealing in suspect property related to the diversion of 2,000 iron sheets originally intended for Karachunas (youth warriors in Karamoja).
Meanwhile, Lugoloobi faces two counts of dealing with suspect property after allegedly receiving 700 iron sheets, which he reportedly used to roof animal shelters.
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