Judge Dismisses Nandutu Illness Claims, Orders Trial to Start

The Anti -Corruption Court in Kampala has ordered Former State Minister for Karamoja Affairs Agnes Nandutu to start defending herself today at 1pm in relation to charges of recieving iron sheets meant for the vulnerable people of Karamoja. 

Nandutu was not ready to start defending herself  today as her lawyers Caleb Alaka and Evans Ochienge wanted an adjournment so that their client recovers from blood clots.

Nandutu has appeared in court visibly weak with her legs swollen but state prosecutors have told trial judge Jane Kajuga that there is no updated medical report regarding Nandutu’s health on court record thus prompting the judge to order her to take the stand and defend herself at 1pm.

Justice Jane Okuo Kajuga in 2024 found Nandutu  with a case to answer and ordered her to commence on her defence by 19th/ February this year to explain why she took ironsheets belonging to the poor.

Nandutu faces charges of dealing in suspect property, with the prosecution alleging she privately dealt with government property, including 2000 pre-painted iron sheets, between June and July 2022.

Records before the Court indicate that the prosecution presented evidence that Nandutu received 2,000 iron sheets, which was corroborated by the first prosecution witness. Additionally, Nandutu took the police to her home, from where the said iron sheets were recovered.

The defense had argued that the state failed to prove the elements of the case, citing unreliable and contradictory evidence. They claimed that there was no commission of the offense and that Nandutu had no case to answer. However, the court found sufficient evidence to prove that Nandutu was not entitled to the iron sheets.

The Court however noted that even if the iron sheets had not been recovered from Nandutu’s home, the evidence presented would still be sufficient to sustain a criminal charge against her.

The judge dismissed the application seeking to acquit Nandutu and accordingly ordered her to start defending herself.