DPP welcomes 4-year sentence for ex-minister Nandutu

KAMPALA - The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has welcomed a four-year sentence for former state minister for Karamoja affairs Agness Nandutu, saying it strengthens integrity in public service and reaffirms the principle that all persons are equal before the law.

“The prosecution welcomes the decision as one that strengthens integrity in public service and reaffirms the principle that all persons are equal before the law,” Jacquelyn Okui, the spokesperson of the Office of the DPP, said in a statement issued on Friday (April 10).

She noted that the sentence imposed on Nandutu, the Bududa Woman MP, is both just and proportionate.

“It reflects the seriousness of the offence, the responsibility attached to the office held, and the need to deter similar conduct,” she said.

Okui also said beyond the individual case, the judgment and sentence speak to a larger principle.

“Public office is a duty owed to the people. When that duty is abused, the law must respond firmly. This sentence makes it clear that no position of authority places one above accountability,” she noted.

The offence

The Anti-Corruption Court in Kampala sentenced Nandutu for the offence of dealing with suspect property.

In addition to the custodial sentence, the court, which was presided over by Justice Jane Okuo, barred Nandutu from holding public office for a period of ten years.

The court also directed that the recovered iron sheets be returned to the Office of the Prime Minister, restoring them to their intended public purpose.

This case arose from the diversion of relief items meant for some of the most vulnerable people in the Karamoja sub-region.

In addition to the custodial sentence, the court, which was presided over by Justice Jane Okuo, barred Nandutu from holding public office for a period of ten years. (Credit: Alfred Ochwo)

It was prosecuted by David Bisamunyu, the Chief State Attorney, and Innocent Aleto, the Senior State Attorney, both of the ODPP.

Okui also said in presenting its case, the prosecution drew attention to the breach of trust involved.

“The offender held high public office and was expected to safeguard public resources, yet participated in conduct that deprived a needy community of essential support. The prosecution further underscored the wider harm caused, particularly the weakening of public confidence in government institutions.” 

Withdrawing cases

Okui later addressed journalists and recalled that the former DPP Justice Jane Frances Abodo explained the position regarding all the cases relating to the iron sheet scandal.

“And it (the position) is that the evidence in each case file was considered by the DPP, and it was not just evidence, but the public interest, and that is what the ODPP considers when deciding who to charge and with what. It considers availability of evidence and the public interest,” she said.

She noted that sometimes it is “quite intricate” and sometimes members of the public may think that a case has certain amount of evidence, and when they (ODPP officials) get to the case file, it is something different.

“So, it is about what is in the case file,” Okui noted.

She said the other thing about the withdrawals of some of the cases is that sometimes they take cases to court and believe that we can secure a conviction, but then, along the way, because of the intricacies of some of these cases, matters may arise that may require the DPP to retract and consider those matters or factors.

“But also, it should be noted that when the DPP has withdrawn a matter from court, it does not mean that he cannot reinstate it.”