The state minister for Karamoja, Agnes Nandutu has today been taken to the Anti-Constitution Court In Kololo by police after spending a night in cells at Kira Division police headquarters.

Nandutu was later paraded before Grade One Magistrate of the Anti-constitution court Esther Asiimwe on the charges related to diverting of iron sheets meant for the Karamoja Community Empowerment Program. A charge of dealing with suspect property contrary to section 21a(1) of the Anti-Corruption Act 2009 was read for her.

The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) says that during the month of June 2022, at the OPM stores Namanve, Mukono District the minister dealt with 2,000 pre-painted iron sheets of gauge 28 by receiving and holding the said iron sheets which she had reason to believe were acquired as a result of loss of public property which is an offence.

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Minister Nandutu however denied the charges pleading not guilty before the Magistrate Esther.

“Your worship, I understand the charges, but they are not correct,” she told court.

The prosecution led by David Bisamunyu told the court that investigations into the matter have been completed.

“Your worship, I have instructions from the DPP to have the accused committed to High Court for trial. Present with me are committal papers,” Bisamunyu said.

The trial magistrate would later read Nandutu’s indictment to court and committed her for trial.

“The accused is hereby committed for trial in the next court session,” Grade One Magistrate Esther Asiimwe said.

The court denied minister Nandutu bail and remanded her to Luzira prison up to 3 May 2023

Nandutu now joins fellow minister, Mary Goretti Kitutu and Amos Lugoloobi to be arraigned before court over the iron sheet saga.

Several other senior government officials including the Vice President Jessica Alupo, Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja, Speaker of Parliament, Anita Among, Finance Minister, Matia Kasaija among others have also been implicated in the saga.