By Faith Kwagala
KAMPALA – The Anti-Corruption Court has sentenced Agnes Nandutu, the former State Minister for Karamoja Affairs, to four years in prison for her involvement in the diversion of iron sheets intended for vulnerable communities in the Karamoja sub-region.Delivering the landmark judgment on Friday, Justice Jane Okuo Kajuga emphasized that a custodial sentence was necessary to reflect the gravity of the offence and to serve as a deterrent against the abuse of public office.A Breach of Public TrustThe court found that Nandutu unlawfully received and kept 2,000 iron sheets meant for the “Karachunas” (youth) as part of a government disarmament program under the Office of the Prime Minister. While each beneficiary was expected to receive 26 sheets, investigations revealed that only 25 legitimate beneficiaries received supplies, while the rest were irregularly distributed.”At the time of the commission of the offence, the convict held a high public office which calls for integrity,” Justice Kajuga ruled. She described the irregular distribution as a “bonanza” for non-beneficiaries that deprived the Karamoja community of essential support.During the mitigation session, Nandutu’s defense team pleaded for leniency, citing her deteriorating health, her responsibilities as a single mother, and her remorsefulness. Nandutu herself offered an apology to the government and the people of Karamoja, noting she had already returned the physical iron sheets and paid Shs 26.7 million to cover those that were not recovered.However, the judge ruled that the aggravating factors—specifically the breach of public trust—outweighed the mitigating ones.> “The only saving grace is the apology, but it cannot outweigh the seriousness of the offence,” Justice Kajuga stated.In addition to the four-year jail term (from which time spent on remand will be deducted), the court issued the following orders: Nandutu is prohibited from holding any public office for the next ten years. All recovered iron sheets are to be returned to the Office of the Prime Minister. Bail Refund: The court ordered a refund of her bail money and discharged her sureties.Justice Kajuga concluded by criticizing existing legal penalties for corruption as “too lenient,” noting that the maximum prescribed fine of Shs 3.2 million is inadequate for crimes of this nature. Nandutu has 14 days to appeal the court’s decision.