Former state minister for Karamoja Affairs Agnes Nandutu has pleaded with the Anti-Corruption court for a non-custodial sentence, citing failing health and her responsibilities as a single mother.
The court had scheduled to deliver its final verdict at 3:00 pm today following her conviction for diversion of iron sheets intended for vulnerable communities in Karamoja.
The prosecution team of state attorneys pushed for a deterrent sentence, arguing that Nandutu’s actions constituted a clear abuse of office and breach of public trust. Senior state attorney Innocent Aleto asked the court to impose a custodial sentence of five years’ imprisonment, disqualification from holding public office for 10 years, and a fine of Shs 3.2 million, equivalent to the maximum 160 currency points prescribed in law.
The state argued that although Nandutu is a first-time offender, the “premeditated and sophisticated” nature of the offence — including moving the iron sheets to a private farm for nine months — negated any claim of mistake.
“This was not an impulsive act, but a carefully orchestrated course of conduct designed to evade scrutiny,” the prosecution submitted. Taking the stand before the afternoon recess, an emotional Nandutu apologised to the President, the people of Karamoja and the country.
“I am apologetic. Whatever happened, I’m sorry. I was misled,” Nandutu told court.
“I willingly returned the iron sheets after finding out they were intended for Karamoja, and I paid for those that were missing in cash.”
Nandutu’s defence centred on her personal and medical challenges. She told court she suffers from blood clots in her lungs, a condition she said causes her to collapse unexpectedly. She also described herself as the sole breadwinner for her seven children and an 80-year-old mother battling cancer.
“I am the only child remaining now. My father died during the stress of this case,” she said, asking the court for a non-custodial sentence to enable her continue supporting her family.
While the prosecution sought a restitution order, the defence argued that Nandutu had already compensated government for any deficit.
Counsel submitted that even the iron sheets allegedly lost in transit while under police custody were paid for by the convict, as reflected in defence exhibits. They argued that since government had been made whole through recoveries and compensation, a prison sentence would be unnecessarily punitive.
Justice Jane Okuo Kajuga said she would deliver her ruling after analysing submissions from the prosecution, defence and the convict.
In order to save the faces of the big shots: VP Alupo; the Prime Minister, Robina Nabanja; Min State Finance, Lugolobi and Minister of Finance, Hon Matiya (Mateo) Byabasaija; etc., who were equally found pants down with the Kajong Iron shits in their compound, they had to throw a few Iron shits in the direction of naïve and unsuspecting Nandutu and nail her.
In other words, now Dishonourable Nandutu was literally sacrificed on the Alter of Corruption (a perfect scapegoat). And her apology to our PROBLEM OF AFRICA is inconsequential her future has been irreversibly ruined.
In any case, in the African PR, a child who likes sitting near elders is blamed for any elder’s loose fart stench and rudely chase away from the vicinity.
Else Nandutu deserve it because, she was also full of kajanjja especially after gaining her notoriety from acting out as the NTV Speaker of the People’s Parliament.
Who knows, if her fall from grace was not set up by the undoing from the intolerant and rabid current Speaker of Parliament; who e.g. tried to deface and humiliate Hon Norbert Mao at the Opening Session of the ongoing NRM Retreat in Kyankwanzi?
Otherwise, wasn’t Hon Anita Among and others above, equally culpable over the Karamoja Iron shit?
And like a Super Star, a too soon as a first timer MP, who was immediately appointed Minister of State for Karamoja; how can’t we also rule out Nuggu for her becoming an undeserving social climber?
Well, Nandutu presented the exhibit to law -enforcement by returning the iron sheets. Let her serve her sentence since she was the custodian of the poor karamojongs’ iron sheets.
Leave the lady free moreover she isn’t the only one involved in the crime but wy only her
This is not justice at all let the country expose all these other people not only Nandudu to be crucified
President forgive Nandutu bambi , she has served a good example to office abusers! Judiciary that is enough 🙏