Agnes Nandutu arriving in court during one of her sessions
HABARI DAILY I Kampala, Uganda I Court assessors want the former Karamoja affairs state minister Agnes Nandutu over her alleged involvement in the controversial iron sheets meant for Karamoja sub-region, and earn a 7-year jail term.
“We have weighed the prosecution evidence against the defence and proved beyond a reasonable doubt that the accused is guilty of the offence of dealing with iron sheets. We, therefore, advise this honourable court to convict her accordingly,” Namayanja advised.
The three court assessors have advised court to convict. The assessors Bob Nabende, Sarah Namayanja and Joanittah Rose this week presented their opinion before presiding judge Jane Okuo Kajuga of the Anti-Corruption Division of the High Court in Kampala. However, their opinion is not binding as the judge may disregard it. Kajuga acknowledged the assessors’ opinion and set April 8, 2026, as the date for delivering her judgment on the matter, before extending Nandutu’s bail.
Relying on the testimonies of four prosecution witnesses, the assessors concluded that Nandutu dealt with the iron sheets by receiving and retaining them. Nandutu, who is also the Bududa District Woman MP, is battling charges of dealing with suspect property, contrary to section 21A (1) of the Anti-Corruption Act. If found guilty, she faces a sentence of up to seven years in prison.
According to the prosecution, between June and July 2022, at the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) stores in Namanve and in Kkola Cell, Bulwanyi Parish, Mukono District, Nandutu handled government property—specifically 2,000 pre-painted iron sheets marked “Office of the Prime Minister.” These sheets were allegedly received and held despite reasonable suspicion that they had been irregularly allocated, amounting to loss of public property under Section 10 (1) of the Anti-Corruption Act 2009.
The assessors’ recommendation to convict is rooted primarily in the consistency and weight of the prosecution’s evidence. They emphasized that witness testimonies established a clear chain linking the accused to the receipt, possession, and retention of the iron sheets. Central to this finding was the testimony of Evelyn Hilda Bazibu, Nandutu’s former political assistant. Bazibu told court that she acted on Nandutu’s instructions to collect the iron sheets from the OPM stores.
Bazibu explained that during June and July 2022, she coordinated with Osbert Arinaitwe, an assistant inventory management officer at OPM, who reportedly counted and handed over the iron sheets during loading. The consignment consisted of 2,000 pieces, packed in bundles of 12, and was intended for beneficiaries in Bududa District.
Name linking accused to the transaction
Importantly, Bazibu stated that she signed documentation bearing Nandutu’s name, directly linking the accused to the transaction. The assessors found this testimony credible and indicative of Nandutu’s knowledge and involvement.
Further strengthening the prosecution’s case was the evidence of Godfrey Seremba, a former accounting officer at OPM. Seremba confirmed that official records reflected the delivery of the 2,000 iron sheets to Nandutu. The assessors interpreted this documentation as institutional proof that the materials were formally allocated to her, thereby reinforcing claims that she had possession and control over them.
Investigative testimony also played a critical role in shaping the assessors’ opinion. Assistant Superintendent of Police Charles Babwetera testified that on March 28, 2023, he led a team of investigators to Nandutu’s farm following directives from his superiors.
Bundled iron sheets
Working alongside local leaders and police officers in Mukono, the team reportedly recovered iron sheets from structures on the property, including a small farmhouse and a poultry unit. Some sheets were found loose, while others remained in bundles, consistent with the original packaging described earlier.
Another officer, Assistant Superintendent Winfred Nakatudde, corroborated this account and added that during the recovery exercise, she interviewed Nandutu. According to Nakatudde, the accused acknowledged receiving the 2,000 iron sheets. Nandutu reportedly explained that the materials had been given to her by then Karamoja affairs minister Goretti Kitutu for onward distribution to people in Bududa.
Despite this explanation, the assessors found that the act of receiving and retaining the iron sheets constituted the offence in question. They reasoned that the accused had control over government property and failed to demonstrate that it was handled in accordance with lawful procedures. The physical recovery of the iron sheets from her property further reinforced their conclusion that she retained possession beyond what would be expected for official distribution.
However, the assessors’ opinion also contained an apparent contradiction that may influence the final judgment. They noted that the iron sheets Nandutu dealt with were not necessarily proven to have been acquired through an offence under the Anti-Corruption Act. Additionally, they acknowledged that Nandutu did not requisition the larger consignment of 10,000 iron sheets but was instead aware of the broader work plan.
Established culpability
Even so, the assessors maintained that the threshold for conviction on the specific charge of dealing with suspect property had been met. Their reasoning suggests that actual possession and handling of the materials, coupled with the surrounding circumstances, were sufficient to establish culpability regardless of whether she initiated the procurement.
The defence, on the other hand, raised procedural concerns, including delays in handling previous bail applications. While these arguments highlight broader issues within the judicial process, the assessors appeared to give greater weight to the substantive evidence presented by the prosecution.
Ultimately, their recommendation reflects a belief that the evidence demonstrates, beyond reasonable doubt, that Nandutu received and retained government property under questionable circumstances. Whether the presiding judge will adopt or disregard this opinion remains to be seen when the judgment is delivered. The case continues to draw public attention as part of a wider scrutiny of accountability in the management of public resources.
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