By Our Staff Reporter

Kampala, Uganda – April 9, 2026
The Anti-Corruption Division of the High Court has convicted former State Minister for Karamoja Affairs and Bududa District Woman MP, Agnes Nandutu, of dealing with suspect property. The ruling, delivered yesterday by Justice Jane Okuo Kajuga, marks a significant victory in Uganda’s ongoing fight against corruption involving public resources.

Nandutu was found guilty of unlawfully receiving and retaining 2,000 pre-painted iron sheets (gauge 28) marked “Office of the Prime Minister.” These sheets were procured under the Karamoja Community Empowerment Programme for vulnerable communities in the Karamoja sub-region. Court evidence showed that between June and July 2022, the sheets were collected from OPM stores in Namanve on her behalf and transported to her private premises in Mukono District.

Justice Kajuga ruled that Nandutu, as a minister, knew the sheets were government property allocated for a specific public programme and were not lawfully assigned to her. The court rejected her defence that the sheets were meant for landslide victims in Bududa, noting a complete lack of documentation or official allocation from the Office of the Prime Minister.

Following the conviction, Nandutu’s bail was cancelled. She was immediately remanded to Luzira Prison and will return to court tomorrow, Friday, April 10, 2026, for sentencing.

Background to the Scandal
The case forms part of the wider Karamoja iron sheets scandal that erupted in 2023. Thousands of roofing sheets intended for impoverished Karamoja communities were allegedly diverted by senior government officials, sparking public outrage and multiple prosecutions. Nandutu’s conviction follows similar high-profile cases involving other ministers implicated in the scandal.

Nandutu, a former NTV Uganda journalist and self-made politician who rose from humble beginnings in Bududa District, served as State Minister for Karamoja Affairs under the Office of the Prime Minister. She was elected Bududa Woman MP in 2021 as an independent candidate.