Da Dona
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Kampala, Uganda – April 8, 2026
The Anti-Corruption Court in Kampala has convicted former State Minister for Karamoja Affairs, Agnes Nandutu, in the high-profile Karamoja iron sheets scandal, and ordered her immediate remand to Luzira Prison pending sentencing.
📸 Observer Ug
In a ruling delivered on Wednesday, Justice Jane Kajuga found Nandutu guilty of dealing with suspect property after it was established that she unlawfully received and retained government iron sheets meant for vulnerable communities in the Karamoja sub-region in 2022
The court heard that Nandutu took possession of 2,000 pre-painted iron sheets from the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) stores in Namanve between June and July 2022. The materials were part of a government programme intended to support disadvantaged communities in Karamoja during the disarmament process.
Evidence presented during trial showed that the iron sheets were transported to her private farm in Mukono District on her instructions, with her political aide reportedly facilitating their collection.
Justice Kajuga ruled that:
-The iron sheets were public property purchased with public funds
-Their diversion to unintended beneficiaries constituted unlawful loss of government resources
-Nandutu, given her ministerial position, knew or ought to have known that the items had been irregularly acquired
“I am satisfied that the prosecution has adduced evidence beyond reasonable doubt,” the judge ruled.
Nandutu had argued that the iron sheets were intended for disaster victims in Bududa District and that she acted in good faith. However, the court dismissed this defence, citing a lack of documentation or formal requisition to support her claim.
The judge further noted that even local authorities in Bududa were unaware of the allocation until the scandal became public, weakening her defence.
Bail cancelled, remanded
Following the conviction, court cancelled Nandutu’s bail and ordered that she be remanded to Luzira Prison until Friday, when sentencing is expected.
The case stems from the widely publicised Karamoja iron sheets scandal, in which thousands of iron sheets procured under a government empowerment programme were allegedly diverted to politicians and other non-beneficiaries.
📸 Independent UG
Investigations revealed that a significant portion of the consignment did not reach the intended communities, sparking national outrage and calls for accountability across government.
However, Agnes Nandutu was not the only official implicated in the Karamoja iron sheets saga. Several other senior government figures were named during investigations, raising broader concerns about systemic abuse of public resources.
Will other government officials linked to the scandal also be held accountable or will this case end with just one conviction?
The Anti-Corruption Court in Kampala has convicted former State Minister for Karamoja Affairs, Agnes Nandutu, in the high-profile Karamoja iron sheets scandal, and ordered her immediate remand to Luzira Prison pending sentencing.
In a ruling delivered on Wednesday, Justice Jane Kajuga found Nandutu guilty of dealing with suspect property after it was established that she unlawfully received and retained government iron sheets meant for vulnerable communities in the Karamoja sub-region in 2022
The court heard that Nandutu took possession of 2,000 pre-painted iron sheets from the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) stores in Namanve between June and July 2022. The materials were part of a government programme intended to support disadvantaged communities in Karamoja during the disarmament process.
Evidence presented during trial showed that the iron sheets were transported to her private farm in Mukono District on her instructions, with her political aide reportedly facilitating their collection.
Justice Kajuga ruled that:
-The iron sheets were public property purchased with public funds
-Their diversion to unintended beneficiaries constituted unlawful loss of government resources
-Nandutu, given her ministerial position, knew or ought to have known that the items had been irregularly acquired
“I am satisfied that the prosecution has adduced evidence beyond reasonable doubt,” the judge ruled.
Nandutu had argued that the iron sheets were intended for disaster victims in Bududa District and that she acted in good faith. However, the court dismissed this defence, citing a lack of documentation or formal requisition to support her claim.
The judge further noted that even local authorities in Bududa were unaware of the allocation until the scandal became public, weakening her defence.
Bail cancelled, remanded
Following the conviction, court cancelled Nandutu’s bail and ordered that she be remanded to Luzira Prison until Friday, when sentencing is expected.
The case stems from the widely publicised Karamoja iron sheets scandal, in which thousands of iron sheets procured under a government empowerment programme were allegedly diverted to politicians and other non-beneficiaries.
Investigations revealed that a significant portion of the consignment did not reach the intended communities, sparking national outrage and calls for accountability across government.
However, Agnes Nandutu was not the only official implicated in the Karamoja iron sheets saga. Several other senior government figures were named during investigations, raising broader concerns about systemic abuse of public resources.
Will other government officials linked to the scandal also be held accountable or will this case end with just one conviction?
