Former minister Agnes Nandutu gets four years in jail over iron sheets saga

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The Anti-Corruption Court has sentenced former Karamoja affairs state minister Agnes Nandutu to four years in jail.

Justice Jane Okuo Kajuga on Friday (April 10) said a custodial sentence would be appropriate for Nandutu.

According to the sentence, the court observed that Nandutu breached the trust and took advantage of 2,000 iron sheets meant for the people of Karamoja for personal benefit instead of the vulnerable beneficiaries.

The court further considered that Nandutu held a public office as a Member of Parliament and also a minister.

Justice Kajuga noted that although the iron sheets were recovered, they were not done in a voluntary manner.

"I decline the request by the defence of sh3.2million fine. That amount is inadequate," she said.

The judge said the aggravating factors presented by the prosecution outweigh the mitigating factors, and there is a need to protect the integrity of public office.