
The well-known journalist and cum-politician, Agnes Nandutu isn’t someone that we would think become the centrepiece of stories, but that’s where we are. Her actions since 2020 has been spectacular and the fall been massive.
She went into the Primaries of the National Resistance Movement as a new flag-bearer and up-coming MP. Nevertheless, inside the NRM they wanted another person to represent the constituency. Alas, she defied the orders of the State House and the President and ran as an Independent candidate for Womans MP for the same Bududa district. In the General Election of 2021 she won the seat and was elected into the 11th Parliament on her first try.
That’s sound like a journey of failure and victory. She was resilient and NRM leaning. That’s why it was natural that the President could appoint her to Higher Offices. So after the elections and with a new cabinet in 2021, she was appointed to the role of Minister of State, Office of Karamoja. By this time it seemed like the sky was the limit.
The former journalist had within a short amount of time became both MP and a Minister. That’s a jump and created a prominent space in the Republic. This is what could have been a trip from the sarcastic remarks of “Point Blank” unto the role of a Minister. Everyone isn’t built for that and it’s proven she wasn’t prepared for what was coming.
Nandutu went into hot-water. The state was already using weapons and having operations of the army in Karamoja. There was questionable activity and lack of service delivery in the Karamoja sub-region. She couldn’t take that and the hunger of the region was also hurting her pride. As she was supposed to be glorified and celebrated for her rise to power.
Now in 2024, she has gotten sanctions from both the United Kingdom and United States of America. That’s all for participating in the thievery of iron-sheets destined for the Karamoja sub-region, which she was a minister over. She destroyed her reputation, career and her name over petty thieving.
Nandutu has lost her Ministry and lost her name. She is forever implicated in the graft and the corruption, which resided in her ministry. That’s why she cannot travel or be capable of residing in these nations. It must cost to see herself and her name in big letters in notifications of foreign government entities. That they are mentioning you and your actions. This got to sting your pride and lose your cool.
I’m sure she is okay with the earnings as an MP. That must be better than what she earned as a journalist. The “Point Blank” era will forever linger and the choices after is just abysmal. Nandutu cannot save herself or her grace.
The former Minister and journalist cannot revive her name. The iron-sheets and the misuse of office will follow her for life. She is known for this now. Just like others are known for Santana’s and GAVI-funds. Nandutu will be known for participating in taking mabaati without proper justification.
This is who Nandutu is and it won’t be forgotten. The U.S. and UK is even agreeing in their actions. They are designating the same sort of actions and it shows that they are going after the culprits. It is telling that it is happening from afar and not from the Courts of Kampala. No, it has to be foreign entities who keeps the high ranking officials accountable. Because, the President and his allies won’t… Peace.














