Agnes Nandutu in the dock
HABARI DAILY I Kampala, Uganda I Legally speaking, the conviction of Agnes Nandutu was a foregone conclusion, given the weight of evidence and the clear provisions of Uganda’s anti-corruption laws that criminalise the misuse of public resources.
The Anti-Corruption Court has convicted the former State Minister for Karamoja Affairs over the diversion of 2,000 iron sheets meant for vulnerable communities in Karamoja, bringing into sharp focus the legal framework governing public accountability. The outgoing Bududa District Woman Member of Parliament was found guilty of dealing with suspect property, contrary to Section 21A (1) of the Anti-Corruption Act.
The conviction, delivered by Justice Jane Okuo on April 8, 2026, followed a prosecution led by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP). At the heart of the case was Nandutu’s knowing receipt and retention of government property that had been irregularly diverted from its intended purpose.
Section 21A (1) of the Anti-Corruption Act specifically criminalises the act of dealing with property that a person knows or has reason to believe was acquired through corrupt means. By accepting and storing iron sheets clearly marked “Office of the Prime Minister,” Nandutu fell afoul of this provision. The law does not require direct involvement in the initial theft or diversion; mere possession with knowledge of illegality is sufficient to sustain a conviction.
Court proceedings established that between June and July 2022, Nandutu received the iron sheets under questionable circumstances. Although she claimed the consignment was allocated for landslide victims, the prosecution demonstrated that the items were part of a government programme funded under a Shs39.94 billion supplementary budget for the 2021/2022 financial year.
The programme, implemented under the Office of the Prime Minister, was intended to support disarmament and community empowerment among vulnerable Karachuna in Karamoja.
Evidence further showed that Nandutu actively facilitated the collection and transportation of the iron sheets. She provided transport funds and instructed her political assistant to pick up the consignment from government stores in Namanve. The iron sheets were then diverted to private residences in Wakiso and Mukono districts, rather than being delivered to intended beneficiaries.
This chain of actions also raised potential breaches of broader public trust obligations enshrined in Uganda’s legal system. While the conviction centred on dealing with suspect property, the conduct in question touches on abuse of office and misappropriation of public resources—offences addressed under other provisions of the Anti-Corruption Act and the Penal Code.
Investigations in March 2023 reinforced the prosecution’s case when Nandutu led authorities to her farm, where 1,617 iron sheets were recovered. She failed to account for the remaining 383, further strengthening the inference of unlawful dealing.
The court ultimately concluded that she knowingly retained property diverted from a public programme, depriving vulnerable communities of essential support. Her bail was cancelled upon conviction, and she is expected to return for sentencing on April 10, 2026.
The case, whose maximum charge is 7 years in prison, underscores the strict liability imposed on public officials under Uganda’s anti-corruption regime and serves as a cautionary tale on the legal consequences of misusing government resources.
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