Nandutu denied bail, committed to high court for trial

The Anti-Corruption Court in Kololo has remanded the State Minister for Karamoja Affairs, Agness Nandutu, to Luzira Prison till 3rd May 2023. This was after she was committed to the High Court for trial.

Nandutu was first charged for dealing with suspect property contrary to section 21A (1) of the Anti-Corruption Act, 2009 (as amended) before she was committed to High Court for trial.

On Tuesday, the State Minister for Karamoja handed herself over to police at 11 am and was later chauffeured to the Anti-Corruption Court in Kololo by police, after spending a night in cells at Kira Division police headquarters.

The Anti-Corruption Court grade one magistrate Esther Asiimwe said she cannot hear the Bududa Woman MP’s bail application following her committal. This was after the State attorney David Bisamuyu told the court that inquiries into the case were complete.

“I have instructions from the DPP to have the suspect committed to the High Court for trial. The committal papers are before you my lord,” said David Bisamuyu.

This implied that Nanduttu can only apply for bail in the High Court if she so wishes.

Nandutu now joins fellow ministers, Mary Goretti Kitutu(Karamoja) and Amos Lugoloobi( finance) to be arraigned before the court over the iron sheet saga.

She, however, becomes the first minister to be committed to High Court for trial.

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