Court Issues Criminal Summons Against Nandutu, Sureties

The Anti-Corruption Court in Kampala has issued criminal summons against former State Minister for Karamoja Affairs, Agnes Nandutu, and her sureties after all failed to appear in court for a scheduled hearing in the ongoing iron sheets scandal case.

The summons was issued on Wednesday by Lady Justice Jane Okuo Kajuga following a request by State Attorney David Bisamunyu. Bisamunyu informed the court that Nandutu has repeatedly failed to attend court proceedings, despite being found with a case to answer over six months ago. She is accused of dealing with suspect property—specifically, the diversion of iron sheets intended for vulnerable communities in the Karamoja sub-region.

While Nandutu had briefly begun her defense, she was absent again on Wednesday. Her lawyer, Nandah Wamukota, told the court that she had informed him that morning that she was feeling unwell. However, Justice Kajuga—who is also the Acting Principal Judge—expressed frustration over the continuous delays.

She ruled that there was no proof to support Nandutu’s claims of illness and noted that her absence had become habitual, especially since January 10, 2025, when she was officially found with a case to answer.

Kajuga recalled that she had previously ordered an independent medical assessment from Mulago National Hospital, which concluded that Nandutu was fit to stand trial. She observed that claims of ill health only seemed to intensify once the defense phase of the trial was due to begin.

“The issues of illness seem to have been exacerbated just when the defense was expected to begin its case,” Kajuga remarked. The judge also rebuked Nandutu’s sureties for failing in their obligations. “It appears the sureties are unbothered by the duties they undertook when they came to court. At the very least, they should have made an effort to find out why the accused was absent,” she said.

Kajuga added that Nandutu’s actions amounted to deliberate delay tactics. She emphasized that the Constitution permits courts to try an accused person in their absence and warned that such machinations must come to an end. She ordered the sureties to appear in person before the court, where she will decide whether to discharge them from their responsibilities, noting they appear to have failed in their duty to ensure the accused’s attendance. 

The judge fixed two specific days—July 24 and August 1, 2025—during which Nandutu is expected to present her defense. She also issued what she called a final warning to the former minister. In her initial defense, Nandutu blamed her senior, Minister Mary Goretti Kitutu, for failing to guide her during the iron sheets distribution. She described herself as a political newcomer, lacking experience both in Parliament and the executive. This case is part of a broader corruption scandal implicating three ministers in the mismanagement of relief materials meant for Karamoja. 

Apart from Nandutu, the other ministers implicated are Amos Lugoloobi, the State Minister for Economic Planning, who has already concluded his defense and is expected to present more witnesses; and Mary Goretti Kitutu, the former Minister for Karamoja Affairs, whose trial is currently on hold pending an appeal related to allegations of torture during her detention. 

The Inspectorate of Government accuses Kitutu of failing to implement peacebuilding programs in Karamoja between February and June 2022, resulting in a government loss of Shs1.5 billion. Nandutu is now the second minister to be formally ordered to defend herself in court about the iron sheets scandal.