The prosecution alleges that during June 2022, at the office of the Prime Minister's Stores in Namanve and Kkola Cell Bulwanyi Parish, Mukono District, Nandutu dealt with government property consisting of 2,000 pre-painted iron sheets Gauge 28.
Prosecution led by Jonathan Muwaganya and David Bisamunyu told the court that the witnesses could not be produced in court because some were arrested on Wednesday by the Inspectorate of Government and remanded to Luzira Prisons.
Prosecution led by Chief State Attorney David Bisamunyu and Jonathan Muwaganya said it is the second time the State comes to Court with its witnesses ready to prosecute the Minister but the Defense is still not ready to proceed.
The Prosecution alleges that in June 2022, at the office of the Prime Minister's Stores in Namanve and Kkola Cell Bulwanyi Parish, Mukono District, Nandutu was involved in dealing with government property, specifically 2,000 pre-painted iron sheets of Gauge 28.
During the hearing, Nandutu's lawyers, led by Caleb Alaka, objected to proceeding with the case, citing imprecise, ambiguous, and vague charges that could potentially infringe upon her right to a fair hearing.
According to Alaka they have also filed a constitutional petition seeking for the interpretation of the offense of Section 21A of the Anti Corruption Act where Nandutu is being charged .
In April 2023, lawyer Male Mabirizi petitioned the Anti-Corruption Court challenging the arrests, interrogations, detentions, and subsequent Prosecutions of the Vice President, Speaker, Ministers, Members of Parliament, and Local Government leaders.
On April 17th, 2023, Mabirizi petitioned the Anti-Corruption Court, seeking to nullify the piecemeal investigations, arrests, detentions, and prosecutions carried out by the Uganda Police Force, Director of Public Prosecutions, or any other state agency related to the memo.
Muwaganya has told Court that when Nandutu was summoned by police, she abandoned her home and as of April 15th, 2023 all her three known phones were switched off , a search at both her home and farm and known places of her abode all yielded no results as she was suspiciously absent.
Nandutu, the Bududa Woman Member of Parliament was arraigned on Wednesday before the Court presided over by Grade One Magistrate Esther Asiimwe and charged with one count of dealing with suspect property.
