Iron sheets case: ex-minister Nandutu set to face assessors

KAMPALA - Court assessors are Wednesday (April 1) expected to give their opinion on whether or not to convict former Karamoja affairs state minister Agnes Nandutu, who is accused of diverting iron sheets meant for Karamoja sub-region.

The assessors are Bob Nabende, Sarah Namayanja and Rose Joanita.

Procedurally in a criminal trial, court assessors give their opinion before the presiding judge or judges pronounce themselves on the matter. However, their opinion is not binding, and the judge may disregard it.

Assessors are usually non-lawyers who sit with a judge to assist in evaluating the evidence and circumstances of a case.

While briefing assessors on March 18, 2026,  Justice Jane Okuo Kajuga of the Nakasero-based Anti-Corruption Division of the High Court, asked them to advise the court on whether to convict or acquit the accused persons based on the evidence presented by both the prosecution and the defence.

Guiding the assessors, Kajuga said they should determine whether Nandutu received the iron sheets in question.

She further noted that they should consider whether, at the time of dealing with the iron sheets, the accused knew they had been unlawfully acquired.

The assessors were also asked to examine whether the evidence presented is consistent or contradictory.  

The judge also asked the assessors to determine whether Nandutu received 2000 iron sheets from the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) stores in Namanve, Mukono and whether she knew that the iron sheets were meant for the Karamoja sub-region.

Court heard that during the distribution process, some iron sheets were allocated to other regions, including Teso, Bunyoro, Lango, and Bugisu.

Justice Kajuga further directed the assessors to consider whether the accused was expected to know how the then Karamoja affairs minister, Goretti Kitutu had acquired the iron sheets.

Additionally, the assessors were asked to evaluate whether the prosecution’s evidence proves the allegations levelled against the accused, including whether she got the 2,000 iron sheets as a result of an offence.

The court also heard that the number of iron sheets recovered from the accused’s firm in Mukono district (1,617) differed from the number recorded at the Criminal Investigations Directorate headquarters in Kibuli, Kampala (1,586).

The judge urged the assessors to consider what may have happened to the missing iron sheets and whether they are satisfied that the accused received 2,000.

“If fewer iron sheets were received, what would be the effect on the case?” Kajuga stated.

Justice Kajuga also advised the assessors to reflect on whether, even if the accused was aware of the procedures for acquiring the iron sheets, that knowledge would have any bearing on her criminal liability.

The prosecution is led by Chief State Prosecutor David Bisamunyu, while the defence team comprises lawyers Evans Ochieng, Caleb Alaka, Charles Nandaah Wamukoota and John Nalela.

The case

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, Nandutu will be sentenced to seven years in prison.

Prosecution alleges that Nandutu between the month of June and July 2022, at the OPM stores in Namanve, and in Kkola Cell, Bulwanyi Parish, Mukono district, dealt with government property, namely, 2000 pre-painted iron sheets of gauge 28 marked “Office of the Prime Minister”, by receiving and holding the items, which she had reason to believe were acquired as a result of loss of public property, an offence under Section 10 (1) of the Anti-Corruption Act 2009.

On the other hand, Kitutu, who is the Manafwa district Woman Member of Parliament, faces two counts of loss of public property and conspiracy to defraud at the Anti-Corruption Court together with her brother Micheal Kitutu Naboya and personal assistant Joshua Abaho.