Judgment for Nandutu iron sheets case set for April 8, 2026
“We have weighed the prosecution evidence against the defence and proved beyond reasonable doubt that the accused is guilty of the offence of dealing with iron sheets. We, therefore, advise this honourable court to convict her accordingly,” Namayanja advised on Wednesday, April 1.
Relying on the testimonies of four prosecution witnesses, the assessors concluded that Nandutu dealt with the iron sheets by receiving and retaining them.
KAMPALA - The Anti-Corruption Court in Nakasero has set April 8, 2026, to deliver its judgment in the case against former Karamoja affairs state minister Agnes Nandutu, who is accused of diverting iron sheets meant for Karamoja sub-region.
The date was set after assessors advised High Court Judge Jane Okuo Kajuga that Nandutu should be found guilty over her alleged involvement in the controversial iron sheets meant for Karamoja sub-region.
The assessors Bob Nabende, Sarah Namayanja, and Joanittah Rose presented their opinion to the judge today (April 1). However, their recommendation is advisory and not binding, as the judge may choose to disregard it.
“We have weighed the prosecution evidence against the defence and proved beyond reasonable doubt that the accused is guilty of the offence of dealing with iron sheets. We, therefore, advise this honourable court to convict her accordingly,” Namayanja advised on Wednesday, April 1.
Relying on the testimonies of four prosecution witnesses, the assessors concluded that Nandutu dealt with the iron sheets by receiving and retaining them.
The witnesses included the ex-minister’s former political assistant, Evelyn Hilda Bazibu; the former Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) accounting officer, Godfrey Seremba; and Assistant Superintendents of Police Charles Babwetera and Winfred Nakatudde.
According to the assessors, Bazibu testified that between June and July 2022, Nandutu instructed her to collect iron sheets from the OPM’s assistant inventory management officer, Osbert Arinaitwe, in Namanve, Mukono district.
Arinaitwe reportedly counted and handed over 2,000 iron sheets during loading, with each bundle containing 12 pieces, intended for beneficiaries from Bududa district.
Bazibu further stated that she signed documentation bearing the accused’s name in relation to the consignment.
Accordingly, the assessors held that the testimony demonstrated that the accused received the iron sheets.
“By the time the accused received or held that property, she had no reason to believe that it had been acquired wrongly,” Namayanja affirmed.
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 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.