By Rachael Najjuma
19th April 2023
The Anti Corruption Court has committed the State Minister for Karamoja Affairs Agnes Nandutu to the High Court on charges related to the diversion of iron sheets that were meant to benefit the vulnerable communities of Karamoja.
Nandutu who is also the Woman Member of Parliament Bududa district was on Wednesday arraigned before Grade One Magistrate Esther Asiimwe and charged with one count of dealing with suspect property of which she denied.
Following her plea, Chief State Attorney David Saminyu revealed to court that investigations in the matter were complete and informed court that the DPP had instructed for her committal to the high court for trial.
Accordingly the Magistrate has committed Nandutu to the High Court for trial and also set 3rd May for mention of the case in case the file isn’t taken to high court by then.
Charles Wamukota, the Counsel for the accused tried to air his grievances citing that the state was unfair by deliberately saying that investigations in the matter were done so as to deter his client from applying for bail however his submissions were objected to by the state saying he couldn’t make any more submissions after the committal which the magistrate concurred with.
As for Nandutu who looked stressed, questioned why she has been committed yet the lower court has the jurisdiction to try her.
Nandutu becomes the third minister to be charged on issues related to diversion of iron sheets meant for the Karamoja people, after her senior Minister Mary Gorreth Kitutu and Amos Lugolobi State Minister for Finance who is also waiting for his bail ruling tomorrow on 20th April.
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