Iron sheets case: Nandutu to start defence

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Former Karamoja affairs state minister Agnes Nandutu, who is accused of diverting iron sheets meant for the Karamoja region, is scheduled to start defending herself, Thursday, July 3, 2025.

This comes three weeks after Mulago National Referral Hospital endorsed her as fit to stand trial in the iron sheets case.

The hospital’s expert opinion was prompted by the Anti-Corruption Division of the High Court, which sought independent verification of Nandutu’s claim that she was unfit to give her defence on medical grounds.

The court is expected to be presided over by acting Principal Judge Jane Okuo Kajuga.

“The report states that the legislator’s normal activities cannot stop her from attending the trial. The doctors have cleared Nandutu, and I can now proceed to hear her defence with no worries about putting a person impaired by illness to defend herself,” the judge said.

She said following Nandutu’s placement on defence by the court earlier this year, she granted several adjournments after it was reported that her health was deteriorating and she was unable to defend herself in the matter.

“The court graciously granted several adjournments to allow the accused person to recover and turn up in court to defend herself,” Kajuga earlier said.

The judge noted that after several prolonged adjournments, on April 14, 2025, the accused and her lawyers informed the court that Nandutu was very sick and struggling, and it would be unfair for her to defend herself in her current state.

The judge said that as a result, there were inconsistencies between the medical reports provided by Nandutu’s lawyers and the medical report previously furnished to the court, prompting her to direct an independent evaluation of the legislator’s health to determine if she could stand trial.

According to the judge, the detailed evaluation report from Mulago Hospital, dated May 21, 2025, covers both Nandutu’s physical and mental condition. The report was signed by Mulago Hospital executive director Rosemary Kusaba Byanyima.

Reviewing the report, the judge stated that Nandutu’s medical examination was conducted on May 12, 2025, and it shows a detailed diagnosis and treatment plan endorsed by the hospital, indicating that Nandutu’s condition is manageable.

“The medical management plan entails long-term medication therapy, showing that Nandutu’s medical situation is well-managed, and none of her activities can stop the court from proceeding with the trial,” Kajuga said.

Nandutu is being represented by defence lawyers Ochieng, Caleb Alaka, Charles Nandaah Wamukoota and John Nalela, while the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions is being represented by Chief State Attorney David Bisamunyu and Senior State Attorney Innocent Aleto.

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, 2,000 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.