Agnes Nandutu Explained

Agnes Nandutu
Birth Place:Bududa District, Uganda
Alma Mater:Institute of Journalism and Media studies
Occupation:Politician, journalist
Education:Bumwali primary school
Bbulo girls secondary
Blucheke secondary school
Known For:journalism
Party:Independent

Agnes Nandutu is a Ugandan journalist, politician and Minister in charge of Karamoja.[1] In 2020 she participated in the National Resistance Movement Party primaries[2] which she lost to incumbent Woman MP Justin Khainza,[3] [4] and in the 2021 general election, running as an independent, she was elected Women's Representative for Bududa District.[5] [6] [7] [8]

Early life and education

Nandutu was born in Bududa District, Uganda. She belongs to the Bantu ethnic group who are the Gisu people. Nandutu attended Bumwali primary school for her elementary education, she then joined Bbulo girls secondary and later Blucheke secondary school for her high school education.[9]

Career

In 1997, she joined Radio Uganda as a reporter. Later, she pursued a diploma in Journalism at Uganda Institute of Journalism and Media studies. She worked at Daily Monitor as a freelance reporter. Between 2002 and 2008, Nandutu worked at Impact FM as a staff reporter before she joined NTV Uganda.She was a senior political reporter at NTV Uganda. Nandutu was also a moderator and a speaker for NTV citizen debate show called "The People’s Parliament."[10] [11] She served as the president of the Parliamentary Journalist's Association from 2011 to 2016.[12] She scripts and narrates the Popular satire Friday segment called Point Blank on NTV Uganda.[13] In 2011, she received a Christmas gift from The Observer for her NTV show, Point Blank.[14]

Controversies

In 2017, Nandutu was denied accreditation to cover the Ugandan parliament by the organization's communications director.[15]

In 2020, during the parliamentary campaigns, Nandutu was tasked to present her husband, something she did not do and instead asked the electorate over the radio to find her a suitor and implored them to focus on effective representation instead of marriage. The marriage issue was contentious in the public.[16] [17] Nandutu self confessed that she is a mother of seven children though she wished not to divulge more details about it while on an interview with The Observer newspaper.

International Sanctions

On April 30, 2024, the UK's Foreign Office announced personal sanctions against Agnes Nandutu and another high Ugandan official under its Global Anti-Corruption sanctions regime for their involvement in significant corruption in relation to illegal appropriation of thousands of iron sheets allocated for housing of the poorest communities in the Karamoja region as part of a government-funded project, making her a subject to an asset freeze and a travel ban.[18] [19]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Mwarua. Douglas. 2021-01-16. Journalists Joel Ssenyonyi, Agnes Nandutu and 3 others elected to parliament. 2021-04-02. Tuko.co.ke - Kenya news.. en.
  2. Web site: Masaba. Isaac. 2020-07-24. NTV Uganda's Agnes Nandutu picks NRM nomination forms for Bududa Woman MP seat. 2021-04-02. The Pearl Times. en-US.
  3. Web site: 2020-09-21. NRM's Agnes Nandutu says the poor can no longer win elections in Uganda. 2021-04-02. Matooke Republic. en-US.
  4. Web site: 2020-07-24. NTV journalist Agnes Nandutu picks NRM nomination forms. 2021-04-02. Eagle Online. en-GB.
  5. Web site: Godfrey Lugaaju . Four journalists set to grace the 11th parliament . PML Daily . 18 January 2021 . 21 February 2021 .
  6. Web site: 2021-01-24. How Agnes Nandutu used journalism to build a career in politics. 2021-04-02. Watchdog Uganda. en-GB.
  7. Web site: Updates. Grapevine. 2021-01-21. How Journalist Agnes Nandutu Rose From 4th Spot In NRM Primaries To Claim 1st Position In Finals: The Incoming Bududa Woman MP's 'Spirits' Aided Her To Beat Her Opponent Point-Blank!. 2021-04-02. Grapevine News. en-US.
  8. Web site: 2021-01-19. From Newsroom to House Floor: How Journalists Performed in Last Week's Elections. 2021-04-02. ChimpReports. en-US.
  9. Web site: NANZIRI. DOREEN. Agnes Nandutu's tough childhood was worth it. 2021-04-02. The Observer - Uganda. 10 September 2020 . en-gb.
  10. Web site: Agnes Nandutu - Reporter & Show Host - TV Anchors NTV. www.ntv.co.ug. 2020-03-23.
  11. Web site: Nandutu: The people's speaker on the People's Parliament. Daily Monitor. en. 2020-03-23.
  12. Web site: 2013-04-29. NTV's Agness Nanduttu Reelected UPPA President. 2021-04-02. ChimpReports. en-US.
  13. Web site: I am Agnes Nandutuuuuuuu – Sqoop – Get Uganda entertainment news, celebrity gossip, videos and photos. Batte. Edgar R.. 26 January 2012 . en-US. 2020-03-23.
  14. Web site: Christmas gifts from The Observer for Agnes Nandutu, Lord Mayor. Mwesigye. Shifa. The Observer - Uganda. en-gb. 2020-03-23.
  15. Web site: Agnes Nandutu to Obore: Parliament doesn't belong to your family. Pro. Sadamix. 2019-02-06. Kyakala. en-US. 2020-03-23.
  16. Web site: Independent. The. 2020-11-17. Bududa woman MP campaigns: Voters task NTV's Agnes Nandutu to present husband. 2021-04-02. The Independent Uganda. en-US.
  17. Web site: Bududa Woman MP Campaigns: Voters Task NTVs Agnes Nandutu to Present Husband. 2021-04-02. Uganda Radio Network. en.
  18. Web site: UK sanctions corrupt politicians in Uganda who stole from vulnerable communities . 2024-05-02 . GOV.UK . en.
  19. Web site: Financial Sanctions Notice 30/04/2024 .