The former Ugandan Minister for Karamoja Affairs, Agnes Nandutu, has continued her defence before the Anti-Corruption Court in Kampala, where she is accused of dealing with suspect property—specifically iron sheets intended for vulnerable communities in Karamoja.
Appearing before Lady Justice Jane Okuo Kajuga on Thursday, Ms Nandutu gave an unsworn statement, saying her actions were aimed at helping disaster-affected residents in her home district of Bududa, which had suffered landslides and school damage. She said her involvement followed a 2021 government-led visit to the district alongside Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja and then-Minister for Disaster Preparedness, Mary Goretti Kitutu.
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According to Ms Nandutu, she was later informed that 2,000 iron sheets had been allocated to Bududa by the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM). She explained that the materials were to be distributed transparently, with support from the chief administrative officer to identify beneficiaries across 10 sub-counties.
However, she said health issues delayed the distribution process. Ms Nandutu expressed surprise upon learning through the media that some of the iron sheets had allegedly been sold in neighbouring Manafwa district.
In response to the scandal, she said the Prime Minister convened an emergency meeting where Minister Kitutu blamed her brother for mishandling the supplies, allegedly under the influence of alcohol. The Prime Minister reportedly stated that police had taken over the matter and that everyone involved would be held accountable.
“I never sold any of the iron sheets under my control,” Ms Nandutu told the court, adding that more than 300 sheets were recovered from her farm in Seeta-Mukono while she was away. She also said she paid 26 million Ugandan shillings to compensate for the value of the missing sheets.
Her testimony follows criminal summons issued three weeks ago. Ms Nandutu was found with a case to answer in January and is now among a handful of officials required to defend themselves in the scandal, which has implicated several senior government figures, including the vice president, prime minister, and speaker of parliament.
However, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) dropped charges against those officials due to lack of evidence. Ms Nandutu is the second minister to face a full trial, after State Minister for Economic Planning Amos Lugoloobi, who has already concluded his defence.
Meanwhile, the case against former Disaster Preparedness Minister Mary Goretti Kitutu remains on hold, pending an appeal related to allegations of torture while in detention.
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