Embattled ex-State Minister for Karamoja Affairs Agnes Nandutu has apologised to the government and the country for her role in the Karamoja iron sheets scandal.
This came moments after the State asked court to impose a custodial sentence of five years in prison.
Nandutu made the apology on Friday morning before Anti-Corruption Court judge Jane Kajuga, who later postponed the matter to 3pm to deliver her sentence.
The apology came shortly after prosecutors urged court to impose a deterrent penalty, arguing that the case, the first conviction under the offence of dealing with suspect property, should set a precedent for would-be offenders.
“This being the first matter under this offence, it should send a strong message,” Chief State Attorney Ms Innocent Aleto submitted, adding that “Members of Parliament and ministers are not above the law.”
Addressing court in mitigation, Nandutu asked for leniency and a non-custodial sentence, citing her family responsibilities as single mother and her deteriorating health and that of her aging mother.
“My Lord, you said the sentence carries a maximum of seven years and a fine not exceeding 160 currency points. I pray that I am given a non-custodial sentence to enable me take care of my young family since I am the only breadwinner,” she said.
She told court that she supports several dependants, including school-going children, orphans, and her elderly mother.
“I am a single mother of nine school-going children and I am the only able person in my family. I take care of my ailing mother who is 80 years old,” Nandutu said.
She also cited medical challenges, telling court that she has been in and out of hospital and suffers from blood clots in her lungs.
“I have a situation of clots in my lungs which makes me collapse. Up to date, my health is not okay,” she said.
In an emotional address, Nandutu on Friday apologised to the government and the intended beneficiaries of the iron sheets.
“To the government, I would like to say I am apologetic to the appointing authority who entrusted me with this position to serve,” she said.
“To the people of Karamoja who were supposed to receive these iron sheets, I am apologetic, and to the entire country, I am sorry for whatever happened.”
She added: “It was something that I was misled into, and I have been found guilty of not doing my work as I should.”
Nandutu told court that she returned the iron sheets upon learning that they were meant for Karamoja, and compensated for those that were lost while in police custody.
“For the iron sheets I received, after learning that they were meant for the people of Karamoja, I willingly returned them, and even those that got lost in police custody, I paid for them,” she said.
Her mitigation follows her conviction on Wednesday, where Justice Kajuga found her guilty of dealing with suspect property after the prosecution proved that she unlawfully received and kept 2,000 iron sheets meant for vulnerable communities in Karamoja.
The court heard that the iron sheets were part of a government programme under the Office of the Prime Minister intended to support disadvantaged households in the sub-region.
Justice Kajuga ruled that Nandutu, by virtue of her position, knew or ought to have known that the iron sheets were irregularly obtained and diverted from their intended beneficiaries.
Following the conviction, her bail was cancelled and she was remanded to Luzira Prison pending sentencing.
The journalist-turned-politician faces a maximum sentence of seven years in prison if handed a custodial term when court reconvenes at 3pm on Friday.