Karamoja Iron Sheets: Minister Nandutu arrives at Anti-Corruption Court

KAMPALA, UGANDA: The Minister of State for Karamoja, Hon. Agnes Nandutu has arrived at Anti-Corruption Court in Kololo to answer charges related to the alleged mismanagement of Iron sheets meant for the people of Karamoja.

Police Deputy spokesperson CP Polly Namaye yesterday confirmed Nandutu’s arrest and said the minister was under detention at Kira Division Police Station in Wakiso.

The minister has earlier in the day (Tuesday) handed herself over to the police at CID Headquarters in Kibuli in relation to the ongoing investigations about the iron sheets scandal where she was assigned detectives to take her statement.

“The file has been submitted to the office of the DPP for further guidance and possible sanctioning,” Namaye added in a police statement on Tuesday evening.

“This action has saved the police time and resources, and it is worth emulating when in similar circumstances,” she added.

The Bududa district Woman legislator is expected to appear in the Anti-Corruption Court over the charges, although police did not confirm when she would be arraigned before the court magistrate.

Nandutu becomes the third minister after Amos Lugoloobi and Goretti Kitutu to be held and charged over the mismanagement of the relief items meant for Karamoja.

This website exclusively understood that after hiding away from police since last Friday, the former NTV Uganda Reporter and News Anchor has reportedly switched off her phones and deserted her home in Seeta, Mukono to hoodwink detectives who had been assigned to apprehend her over the saga.

DailyExpress authoritatively confirms that the minister had sought refuge at one of her sisters’ homes but later bowed to pressure after police spokesperson Fred Enanga on Monday said she risked being arrested if she did not honor the summons by the law enforcement body.

Nandutu is said to have received a whopping total of 2,000 iron sheets she took from the Office of the Prime Minister and has been struggling to make accountability for the same ever since the sage became a news topic in the country.

The alleged diversion attracted uproar from the public prompting parallel investigations including from police and parliament to probe the saga.

More ministers implicated in the saga are expected to follow President Museveni’s directive issued in an April 3 letter stating that they refund the mabaati (roofing items) or the equivalent money in value.

The ministers allege that Karamoja Affairs Minister Mary Goretti Kitutu sold them the idea to apply for the iron sheets.

PHOTOS:-