Former Minister Agnes Nandutu has been convicted for her involvement in the Karamoja iron sheets theft scandal. This follows a high-profile trial that has dominated headlines for months.
In a landmark ruling that has sent shockwaves through Uganda’s political establishment, the Anti-Corruption Court in Kampala has convicted Agnes Nandutu, the former State Minister for Karamoja Affairs, for her role in the notorious “Iron Sheets” scandal. On April 8, 2026, Lady Justice Jane Okuo Kajuga delivered a judgment that marked a decisive moment in the nation’s fight against public-resource mismanagement, ending a high-profile trial that had dominated national headlines for nearly two years.
The conviction of Nandutu, who also serves as the Woman Member of Parliament for Bududa District, is being viewed as a watershed moment. It represents the first significant legal victory for the state in a scandal that implicated several senior government officials, including cabinet ministers and high-ranking legislators.
The Verdict: “Guilty Beyond Reasonable Doubt”
The courtroom at Nakasero was packed to capacity as Justice Kajuga read the 40-page judgment. The prosecution, led by Chief State Prosecutor David Bisamunyu, had successfully argued that Nandutu dealt with suspect government property contrary to Section 21A (1) of the Anti-Corruption Act.
The Key Findings:
- Receipt of Property: The court found that between June and July 2022, Nandutu received and held 2,000 pre-painted iron sheets (gauge 28) marked “Office of the Prime Minister” (OPM).
- Reason to Believe: A critical component of the charge was whether Nandutu “had reason to believe” the property was acquired through an offense. Justice Kajuga ruled that as a Minister of State for Karamoja Affairs, Nandutu was intimately aware that these materials were specifically procured for the vulnerable communities in Karamoja—not for personal distribution in her home constituency of Bududa.
- The “Political Newcomer” Defense: During the trial, Nandutu’s defense team, led by Caleb Alaka, argued that she was a political novice who had been misled by more senior officials, including the senior Minister for Karamoja Affairs, Mary Goretti Kitutu. The judge rejected this, stating that ministerial responsibility requires a high degree of diligence that cannot be waived by claiming inexperience.
Immediately following the verdict, the judge revoked Nandutu’s bail. In a scene that was captured by cameras and shared widely across social media, the former minister was led away by prison wardens and remanded to Luzira Maximum Security Prison pending her sentencing, scheduled for April 10.
The Scandal That Shook the Nation
To understand the weight of this conviction, one must look back to the origins of the “Mabati” (Iron Sheets) saga in 2023. The scandal broke when it was discovered that thousands of iron sheets, intended to support the disarmament process and provide housing for the “Karachunas” (reformed warriors) in the poverty-stricken Karamoja sub-region, had been diverted.
Instead of reaching the semi-arid plains of the Northeast, the iron sheets were found in the homes, farms, and constituencies of prominent politicians across the country. The public outrage was unprecedented. For many Ugandans, the theft represented a betrayal of the most vulnerable citizens in favor of those already holding the levers of power.
While several ministers were initially charged, the cases against others—including State Minister for Economic Planning Amos Lugoloobi—were later withdrawn or stalled. This made Nandutu’s trial a litmus test for the independence of the judiciary and the political will of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
A Trial of Endurance and Dramatics
The journey to this conviction was anything but straightforward. The trial faced numerous delays, including:
- Medical Emergencies: At one point in early 2025, the trial stalled when Nandutu was hospitalized at Nakasero Hospital with bilateral pulmonary embolism, a condition her lawyers argued made her unfit to stand trial.
- Constitutional Challenges: Nandutu petitioned the Constitutional Court, arguing that the charges against her were vague and unconstitutional. The petition was ultimately unsuccessful, allowing the criminal trial to proceed.
- Witness Testimonies: The prosecution relied on the testimony of several key witnesses, including her former political assistant, Evelyn Hilda Bazibu, who detailed the logistics of collecting the iron sheets from the OPM stores in Namanve.
Throughout the proceedings, Nandutu maintained a defiant stance, often appearing in court with a signature headwrap, alternating between tears during emotional testimony and stoic silence during technical cross-examinations.
The Legal and Political Implications
The conviction of a sitting Member of Parliament and former Minister carries profound implications for Uganda’s governance landscape.
1. A Precedent for Accountability
Nandutu’s conviction serves as a stern warning to public officials that the “I was just following orders” defense is no longer a shield against criminal liability. Legal experts suggest this verdict may embolden the DPP to revive or more aggressively pursue other cases linked to the Karamoja scandal.
2. The Fate of the Bududa Seat
Under the Ugandan Constitution, a Member of Parliament loses their seat if they are convicted of an offense involving moral turpitude or if they are sentenced to a term exceeding six months without the option of a fine. As Bududa prepares for the possibility of a by-election, the political landscape in the Bugisu sub-region is already shifting.
3. Public Perception of the Judiciary
For the Anti-Corruption Court, this judgment is a morale booster. In a country where “big fish” are often seen as untouchable, the sight of a former minister being remanded to Luzira provides a sense of “proportional justice” that the public has long demanded.
What Lies Ahead: Sentencing and Appeals
Nandutu faces a maximum sentence of seven years in prison. While her lawyers are expected to plead for leniency—citing her health conditions and her status as a mother—the prosecution is likely to push for a custodial sentence to serve as a deterrent.
Furthermore, the defense has already hinted at an appeal. “We respect the court’s decision, but we believe there are significant points of law that require the attention of the Court of Appeal,” Caleb Alaka told reporters outside the courtroom.
The Shadow of Karamoja
As Agnes Nandutu spends her first nights in Luzira, the iron sheets scandal continues to cast a long shadow over the NRM administration. While the conviction of one minister provides a sense of closure to a specific chapter, the broader question of how such a systemic failure occurred in the Office of the Prime Minister remains.
For the people of Karamoja, who are still waiting for the relief that was promised to them years ago, this conviction is a small but significant step toward justice. The message from the court is clear: public property is a sacred trust, and those who breach that trust will eventually face the gavel. The eyes of the nation now turn to April 10, when the final measure of Nandutu’s punishment will be revealed.
