Former Ugandan Minister Agnes Nandutu Sentenced to Four Years in Prison Over Iron Sheets Scandal
Former State Minister for Karamoja Affairs Agnes Nandutu has been sentenced to four years in prison by Uganda’s Anti-Corruption Division of the High Court.
The sentencing took place on Friday, April 10, 2026, after she was found guilty of dealing with suspected stolen property. Nandutu, who also served as the Bududa District Woman Member of Parliament, was convicted for her involvement in the illegal possession of government iron sheets meant for vulnerable communities in the Karamoja region. The court further barred her from holding any public office for the next ten years.
The case centres on the diversion of thousands of iron sheets that the government had bought to support poor and vulnerable people, especially the Karachuna communities in Karamoja. In 2022, officials were accused of taking these roofing materials, which were intended for disarmament programmes and community empowerment. Nandutu was found to have received and held 2,000 of the sheets unlawfully. The scandal caused widespread public anger in Uganda, as many viewed it as a betrayal of some of the country’s poorest citizens who needed the materials for basic shelter.
During the trial, the court heard evidence showing that Nandutu had no lawful reason for possessing the iron sheets. She had asked for a non-custodial sentence, citing her health and responsibilities as a single mother, but the judge ruled that her actions were serious and unjustified. Time she had already spent in remand will be deducted from her four-year term. The conviction marks one of the most significant outcomes so far in the broader Karamoja iron sheets scandal that has implicated several senior government figures.
This development has renewed discussions about accountability in public service across Uganda. Many citizens see the sentence as a step towards addressing graft, while others continue to question why more people involved in the scandal have not faced similar consequences. As Nandutu begins her prison term, the case serves as a reminder of the importance of ensuring that resources meant for the needy actually reach them. It also highlights ongoing efforts by Ugandan courts to tackle corruption at high levels of government.
