UGANDA, Karamoja | Real Muloodi News | The ongoing investigation into allegations of abuse of office and theft of iron sheets in the Karamoja Sub Region has taken a new turn with the detention of Ms. Agnes Nandutu, the state minister for Karamoja affairs.
Ms. Nandutu surrendered herself to the CID headquarters at Kibuli, Kampala on Tuesday, April 18, for questioning after shirking her summons to appear at the Criminal Investigations Division at Kibuli on Friday. The police had been prepared to apprehend her, but she pre-empted this by presenting herself voluntarily.
“The minister handed herself over to the Police at CID Headquaters Kibuli, where she was assigned detectives to take her statement. She is currently being held at Kira Division Police station. The file has been submitted to the office of the DPP for further guidance and possible sanctioning,” a statement by the deputy police spokesperson, Polly Namaye said on Tuesday evening.
Nandutu is suspected to be among those who shared 12,000 iron sheets which have landed more than one dozen ministers and government officials in hot water.
Initial investigations by police discovered that Nandutu received 1,000 iron sheets. However, she recently returned the sheets to government stores, and reportedly went into hiding until she turned herself over to the police and was arrested.
Ms. Nandutu is the third minister to be implicated in the case, following the charging of Mary Gorreti Kitutu, the minister of Karamoja, and Amos Lugolobi, the state minister for finance (planning), in the Anti-Corruption Court.
According to police reports, Ms. Nandutu is still being held at the Kira Division Police station.
The police have thanked her for her cooperation, which they say has saved them time and resources. They have encouraged others who may find themselves in similar situations to emulate her example.
The case in question involves allegations that iron sheets meant for relief materials for the people of Karamoja were diverted and shared among several MPs, ministers, and technocrats in government, causing a loss to the government.
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