Police detains elusive Nandutu, prosecution awaits
President Yoweri Museveni termed the act of diverting the Karamoja iron sheets as being subversive since the iron sheets were meant for Karamojong warriors.
The Minister of State for Karamoja, Agnes Nandutu, has been detained by police this afternoon. Deputy Police spokesperson Polly Namaye reveals that the embattlement minister is under police detention at Kira Division Police station in Wakiso district.
In the morning, the minister who has been in hiding willfully handed herself to the police when she reported at CID Headquarters Kibuli in Kampala. Upon receiving her, the police leadership assigned detectives to take her statement.
On obtaining the statement, the minister, a former celebrated broadcast journalist with NTV Uganda was detained at Kira Division Police station.
Nandutu’s woes emanate from the ongoing investigations into the abuse of office and theft of iron sheets meant for Karamoja.
Namaye said the minister’s file was then submitted to the office of the DPP for further guidance and possible sanctioning.
“We thank Hon. Agnes Nandutu for handing herself over to the Police, upon learning of the allegations under investigation. This action has saved Police time and resources and it is worth emulating when in similar circumstances,” she noted.
Last week, the Minister for Karamoja, Mary Goretti Kitutu, was charged with corruption and causing government loss over the iron sheets scandal.
As of yesterday, State Minister for Finance, Planning and Economic Development Amos Logolobi was arraigned before the Anti-corruption court and remanded to Luzira prison on charges related to the diversion of iron sheets that were meant to benefit the vulnerable communities of Karamoja.
In the case of Nandutu, CP Polly Namaye didn’t commit herself to the fate of the minister because she is still in police detention.
President Yoweri Museveni termed the act of diverting the Karamoja iron sheets as being subversive since the iron sheets were meant for Karamojong warriors.
This, the President said, was part of government efforts to fight insecurity in the area.
Other senior government officials implicated in the Karamoja iron sheet scandal include Vice President Jessica Alupo, Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja, Finance Minister Matia Kasaija and the Speaker of Parliament Anita Among among others.
