Court assessors in the trial in which former Karamoja Affairs Minister Agnes Nandutu is accused of corruption have advised the Anti-Corruption Court to find her guilty of charges arising from her alleged involvement in receiving iron sheets meant for the vulnerable people of Karamoja.
They proncounced this was before the Court presided over by Lady Justice Jane Okuo Kajuga where Nandutu is accused of dealing with suspected property.
The joint opinion of the three assessors Sarah Namayanja, Bob Nabende, and Joanita Rose was presented in the absence of Nandutu’s lawyers.
While delivering their findings on Wednesday, the panel indicated key elements the prosecution was required to prove: that the accused dealt with stolen property and that she had knowledged the property was unlawfully acquired.
The assessors noted that the prosecution presented ten witnesses against three for the defence. Evidence before court indicated that a total of 2,000 iron sheets, packaged in bundles of 12, were collected by Nandutu’s Assistant with her knowledge.
The iron sheets were later found at her farm in Mukono district, facts the assessors said show she had possession and control of the items in question.
However, the panel has also observed that proper procedures appeared to have been followed in the initial issuance of the iron sheets and that Nandutu did not personally requisition them.
This, they noted, suggested she may not have directly participated in their unlawful acquisition. Despite this, the assessors have concluded that as a State Minister, Nandutu ought to have known the correct procedures and recognized irregularities.
They have emphasized that the iron sheets were part of government relief intended for the Karamoja sub-region and that records from the Office of the Prime Minister indicated she had been listed among beneficiaries by her then-superior Mary Goretti Kitutu.
The panel has further reasoned that any alleged strained working relationship between Nandutu and her senior minister did not absolve her of responsibility.
They have indicated that there was no any documentary evidence showing she had formally requested iron sheets for landslide victims in Bududa District.
“The accused did not provide evidence explaining how she came into possession of the iron sheets meant for distribution,” the assessors noted.
They have added that the defence witnesses only testified about the suffering caused by landslides without linking this suffering to a lawful allocation process.
As such, the assessors have advised the court to convict Nandutu, stating they were satisfied she dealt with the iron sheets and had knowledge of their improper allocation.
In response, Justice Kajuga said the court will consider the assessors’ opinion before delivering her final judgment.The Judgement has now been fixed for April 8, 2026 on whether to convict Nandutu or to set her free.
Nandutu , the Bududa District Woman MP faces allegations of receiving 2,000 pre-painted iron sheets between June and July 2022, which the prosecution says were acquired as a result of the loss of public property, an offense under Section 10(1) of the Anti-Corruption Act, 2009, as amended.
In early 2025, the court found Nandutu had a case to answer and put her on defense.
She concluded her testimony on October 6, 2025, calling four defense witnesses, including Peter Omodoi from the Office of the Prime Minister, Bududa District LC5 chairperson Milton Apollo Kamoti Wasinguyi, and Francis Lowoth Okori.
During her defense, Nandutu blamed senior officials, including Minister Mary Goretti Kitutu, for failing to guide her in the distribution of the iron sheets, describing herself as a political newcomer lacking experience in Parliament and government.
Nandutu is the only suspect currently on trial. Earlier, the Director of Public Prosecutions withdrew similar charges against Amos Lugoloobi, State Minister for Economic Planning, and Mary Goretti Kitutu, whose trial remains on hold pending an appeal over alleged torture during her detention.
The Inspectorate of Government also accuses Kitutu of failing to implement peace building programs in Karamoja between February and June 2022, resulting in a government loss of Shs1.5 billion. URN