Former State Minister for Karamoja Affairs, Agnes Nandutu, has finally admitted to receiving iron sheets meant for vulnerable communities in the Karamoja sub-region.
Her confession came during a session before the Anti-Corruption Court, after repeated absences that had raised eyebrows among legal authorities and the public alike.
Nandutu’s appearance followed four previous failures to attend court proceedings, prompting the court to issue summons not just for her, but also for her sureties, Bulambuli Elgon North MP Gerald Nangoli, Budadiri West MP Nandala Mafabi, and Bududa District Chairperson Milton Kamooti who were themselves no-shows.
In her defense, Nandutu pointed a finger at the then-Minister for Karamoja Affairs, Dr. Mary Goretti Kitutu, claiming she was the one who handed over the iron sheets.
“They were given to me by then-Minister for Karamoja Affairs, Dr. Mary Goretti Kitutu,” Nandutu told the court.
She further explained that she intended to distribute the sheets to landslide-affected residents in Bududa District.
According to Nandutu, consultations with local leaders were already underway to identify deserving recipients.
But investigations told a different story. Authorities revealed that 300 of the iron sheets were found stored at her residence in Seeta.
Nandutu insisted she wasn’t present when the sheets were delivered and couldn’t confirm the number. She claimed to have since returned the remaining stock and made a compensation payment of Shs 26 million for the 300 iron sheets.
The iron sheet scandal traces back to January 2023, when Dr. Kitutu authorized the distribution of more than 12,200 pre-painted roofing sheets—labeled “Office of the Prime Minister”—to a cross-section of ministers and MPs.
The materials were originally intended to support the Karamoja community, particularly the Karachunas (reformed youth warriors), but instead found their way into private homes and questionable uses.
Among those listed as beneficiaries were top-ranking officials: Vice President Jessica Alupo, Speaker of Parliament Anita Among, Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja, Lands Minister Judith Nabakooba, and Ethics Minister Rose Lilly Akello. Other recipients included State Minister for Primary Education Dr. Moriku Kaducu, former Speaker Rebecca Kadaga, State Minister for Defence Jacob Oboth Oboth, Third Deputy Prime Minister Rukia Nakadama, and Finance Minister Matia Kasaija.
Also on the list were Government Chief Whip Denis Obua, State Minister for Agriculture Bwiino Kyakulaga, and Nandutu herself.
Following public outcry and mounting investigations, some officials—such as Nabakooba, Nandutu, Kasaija, and Speaker Among—opted to return the iron sheets to the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) stores in Namannve.
Curiously, although each sheet was procured at Shs 71,000, ministers were allowed to reimburse the government at a discounted rate of Shs 68,000 per sheet.
Despite the widespread nature of the scandal, only a handful of individuals have been prosecuted. Dr. Kitutu and her brother, Michael Kitutu Naboya, are facing six criminal charges, including loss of public property, conspiracy to defraud, receiving stolen property, and corruption.
Agnes Nandutu is charged with dealing in suspect property over her alleged role in diverting 2,000 iron sheets.
Amos Lugoloobi, the State Minister for Planning, is also battling two counts of dealing with suspect property. Investigators say he received 700 iron sheets, which were allegedly used to roof structures for animals on his property