Politics 7 April 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Karamoja Iron Sheets Scandal: Nandutu Awaits Verdict Tomorrow
The High Court in Kampala will deliver its judgment on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, in the case against former State Minister Agnes Nandutu over the diversion of iron sheets meant for Karamoja. Assessors have recommended finding her guilty of handling suspect property, citing strong prosecution evidence. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/iron-sheets-scandal-nandutu-to-know-her-fate-tomorrow-5415916
The Anti-Corruption Division of the High Court in Kampala is set to rule on former State Minister for Karamoja Affairs Agnes Nandutu tomorrow, Wednesday, April 8, 2026. Justice Jane Okuo Kajuga will issue the verdict following assessors’ advice to convict her in the iron sheets scandal.
Three assessors—Rose Joanittah, Bob Nabende, and Sarah Namayanja—unanimously urged the court on April 1, 2026, to find Nandutu guilty. They concluded that prosecutors proved she dealt with 2,000 iron sheets irregularly acquired for Karamoja’s vulnerable communities.
Prosecutors presented evidence showing Nandutu’s assistant, Evelyn Bazibu, received the sheets, which were then taken to her private farm. Assessors highlighted Nandutu’s failure to provide documents proving lawful acquisition from the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM).
As a senior official, assessors deemed it unlikely Nandutu was unaware of the sheets’ suspicious origins. They rejected her defense of ministry conflicts with supervisor Mary Goretti Kitutu, noting the allocation itself contradicted such claims.
Nandutu claimed the sheets were for Bududa landslide victims and acted in good faith. However, assessors dismissed her witnesses’ testimony for lacking proof of formal requisition processes.
The court must independently review all evidence, though assessors’ non-binding opinion carries weight. Prosecutors called 10 witnesses, while the defense presented three.