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News and Announcements (37)
OFFICE OF THE DPP SIGNS MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WITH REDEEM INTERNATIONAL TO EFFECTIVELY MANAGE LAND GRABBING CASES
Written by Kambale Reagan
Today the 29th November 2022, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (“MoU”) with REDEEM International (“REDEEM”) for effective identification, investigation and prosecution of selected property grabbing related crimes and the maximization of the ODPP’s capacity and constructive impact in the prosecution of land crimes.
Mr. Greg Tarrant, Chief Operating Officer REDEEM International noted that the safety of orphans, widows and vulnerable people is the most important thing that the justice system can guarantee. He earmarked that the vision of the ODPP is to ensure a crime free society. Therefore, in order to bolster ODPP’s capacity to achieve that vision, REDEEM has undertaken to ensure that Prosecutors have access to all relevant documents, witnesses and information, and to support legal research and trial preparation. REDEEM has also undertaken to conduct customized trainings in order to enhance the capacity of Prosecutors to prosecute property grabbing related crimes more proficiently.
The Director of Public Prosecutions Jane Frances Abodo appreciated the partnership saying, “Land crimes cases form the highest percentage of cases we handle, and this is worrying because these land disputes more often than not result in the commission of other crimes as serious as murder and unlawful evictions. Land crimes are a boiling pot of most of the offences in Uganda thus once we tackle them, we shall have put a dent on a wide range of criminal practices in Uganda.” She highlighted that the ODPP is doing a tremendous job in prosecuting land-related cases and defending the rights of vulnerable persons amidst many and varied constraints such as limited resources, inadequate staff and the need to retool the capacity of ODPP.
Ms. Juliet Nafuna Musoke the National Director of REDEEM International said, “We hope to partner with ODPP staff in our respective locations which include Gulu, Mbale, Iganga and Wakiso.”
Mr. Andrew Odiit, Principal Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions (Head of Land Crimes Department) said, “We are ready to do everything to ensure that the MoU is implemented.”
For media enquiries, please contact:
Jacquelyn Okui
Public Relations Officer
Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions
Tel: 0741244147
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Alice Mwebaza Kasujja
Legal Consultant
Redeem International
Tel: 0782275775
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC PROSECUTIONS AWARDED FOR EXEMPLARY LEADERSHIP AND SELFLESS CONTRIBUTION TO THE JUSTICE, LAW AND ORDER SECTOR
Written by Kambale Reagan
The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Jane Frances Abodo has received an award for exemplary leadership and selfless contribution to the Justice, Law and Order Sector, and for outstanding contribution towards Uganda middle income status aspiration and Vision 2040. The award was presented by the Minister of Public Service Hon. Muruli Mukasa – Chief Guest, at the 10th Visionaries of Uganda Awards Ceremony that was held on 24th November 2022 at Kampala Serena Hotel.
Speaking at the event as Guest Speaker, the DPP explained the role of the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) towards Uganda’s socio–economic transformation. She pointed out that effective prosecution of criminal cases contributes to the advancement of social justice, and the pursuit of justice for all. It also creates a friendly and secure environment which are pertinent preconditions for inclusive growth and competitiveness. She informed the business community of the need for their collaboration with the Office of the DPP to ensure that criminal justice is administered. The DPP appreciated the Government of Uganda for the award and congratulated all the other awardees, encouraging them to work harder.
Hon. Muruli Mukasa said, “The 10th Visionaries of Uganda Awards Ceremony aims to recognize individuals and organizations that have excelled in the realization of Vision 2040.” He congratulated all the awardees.
Jacquelyn Okui
Public Relations Officer
KAHINDA OTAFIIRE LAUNCHES PROGRAM FOR SCREENING HIV, TB AND MALARIA AT POLICE STATIONS TO PREVENT SPREAD OF THE DISEASES IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM
Written by Kambale Reagan
PRESS RELEASE
KAHINDA OTAFIIRE LAUNCHES PROGRAM FOR SCREENING HIV, TB AND MALARIA AT POLICE STATIONS TO PREVENT SPREAD OF THE DISEASES IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM
Today 4th October 2022, the Minister of Internal Affairs, Hon. Rtd. Gen. Kahinda Otafiire has launched a program of screening suspects of crime, victims of crime and criminal justice actors for TB, HIV and Malaria at 16 Uganda Police Force stations. Information, Education and Communication (IEC) materials including a sign post, TB Screening Form, TB Referral Form and banners were also launched. The launch was held at Jinja Road Police Station.
The screening program aims at ensuring the right to health for employees of the Criminal Justice System, victims of crime and suspects through screening of suspects for early detection of the aforementioned three diseases for effective treatment and referral, so as to curb their spread within the Criminal Justice System. The Criminal Justice System comprises the Uganda Police Force, Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, Judiciary (Criminal Bench) and Uganda Prisons Service.
The program was developed by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions with support from the Global Fund. The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Uganda Police Force with guidance from the Ministry of Health developed the IEC materials. The Ministry of Health HIV–Program, Infectious Diseases Institute joined to support the launch.
In his address, Rtd. Gen. Kahinda Otafiire stated, “The idea of identifying the sick at the entry into the Criminal Justice System will enable proper management of the sick so that they can undergo trial with strength.” He further stated that the Ministry is working on expansion of the capacity of holding cells for all inmates.
Mr. Byansi George William, the Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions who spoke on behalf of the DPP Jane Frances Abodo explained the importance of ensuring the good health of suspects of crime by stating that they go through the Criminal Justice System, interact with all stakeholders therein and could therefore pause a risk to them, if infected. He also pointed out the need to address the issue of congestion in cells through the plea bargain program and alternative non–custodial sentencing measures.
CP Kulayigye Hillary appreciated the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions for initiating the program noting that it would benefit the Uganda Police Force immensely considering the fact that it is the entry point for suspects of crime. He also appreciated the Global Fund for funding the program.
Dr. Stavia Turyahabwe, Program Manager of the TB and Leprosy Program in the Ministry of Health emphasized the need for collaboration, fighting stigma and building awareness amongst the people involved in the program.
The screening program will be implemented in Kampala Metropolitan at the following Uganda Police Force stations; Jinja Road, Kira Road, Kira Division, Kawempe, Katwe, Kabalagala, Kasangati, Kajjansi, Entebbe, Nagalama, Mukono, Nateete, Wandegeya, Old Kampala, CPS Kampala, and SIU Kireka.
DPP RECEIVES 13 VEHICLES FROM GOVERNMENT OF UGANDA AND HANDS OVER 10 TO HARD TO REACH ODPP STATIONS
Written by Kambale Reagan
Today 1st August 2022, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Jane Frances Abodo has handed over ten (10) out of thirteen (13) vehicles received from the government to hard to reach stations in the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP). The stations include Bundibugyo, Kanungu, Kaabong, Nakapiripirit, Amolatar, Kabale, Moroto, Kotido, Mbale Resident State Attorney Offices and Luwero Regional Office.
Speaking at the handover ceremony, the DPP said, the Top Management decided to prioritise hard to reach stations due to the difficulty in accessing them and insecurity in some of the areas. She explained that the vehicles would enhance prosecution services as they would ensure the availability of the Prosecutors at their stations and in court. She thanked the government for funding the purchase of the vehicles.
Mr. John Baptist Asiimwe, the Deputy DPP – Management Support Services observed that, “Transport as a component of welfare affects performance.” He cautioned the recipients of the vehicles against using them for unofficial duties.
The Accounting Officer/Undersecretary, Ms. Kainza Agnes Nzogi stressed that the purchase of the vehicles was prioritised to facilitate the movement of the Prosecutors, ease their work, ensure their safety and the safety of case files. She cautioned the recipients against moving with the vehicles upon transfer to other stations and abuse of right of way on the road.
The ceremony was held at the office of the Resident State Attorney, Nakawa.
Jacquelyn Okui
Public Relations Officer
The Hope Event; Hope International Conference and Gala was held to create awareness to end child sacrifice and human trafficking in Uganda and worldwide, and to bring multiple stakeholders to dialogue about rescue of victims of child sacrifice and human trafficking, prosecution of suspects, rehabilitation of victims, and building momentum to combat the heinous crimes.
During the conference, it was noted that the following were imperative to combat human trafficking and child sacrifice among others:
- Address theology, greed, witch doctors’ presence and weak government systems.
- Resource stakeholders to enable them effectively fight the crimes.
- Establish a Prosecutors’ Academy for Prosecutors to keep learning, sharing, and enhancing their skills.
- Enhance punishments for convicts.
- Have special sessions for the cases.
- Build and resource shelters for victims.
- Deal with the root causes of the crimes such as poverty, conflict, discrimination etc.
- Synergize and consolidate efforts of various stakeholders to respond in a robust and coordinated manner.
- Pass the Witness Protection Bill into law and avail resources for its implementation.
At the Gala, Kyampisi Child care Ministries (KCM) under the leadership of Mr. Peter Sewakiryanga presented awards to the DPP Jane Frances Abodo and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions in recognition of their hard work in the fight against human trafficking and child sacrifice.
Other beneficiaries of the awards include Justice Mike Chibita - Justice of the Supreme Court, Hope Nakirijja- a child sacrifice survivor, Coalition of Prevention of Trafficking in Persons (COPTIP), the Human Trafficking Institute, AIGP Akullo Grace among others.
Jacquelyn Okui
PRO-ODPP
JOINT PRESS RELEASE ODPP AND EVOLVE - FILA SIGN MOU TO ESTABLISH VIRTUAL PROSECUTORS’ ACADEMY
Written by Kambale Reagan
JOINT PRESS RELEASE
ODPP AND EVOLVE - FILA SIGN MOU TO ESTABLISH VIRTUAL PROSECUTORS’ ACADEMY
Kampala. Monday 13th June 2022. The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) and EVOLVE – Foundation for International Legal Assistance (FILA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to establish a Virtual Prosecutors’ Academy.
Evolve - FILA is a UK registered charity and criminal justice development organisation with the aim of improving access to justice, building the capacity of individuals and institutions, and promoting efficiency, integrity, and fairness within the criminal justice sector of Uganda.
Under the MOU, EVOLVE - FILA in collaboration with the ODPP shall design and handover an online course platform, syllabus, course content and other resources for training use, a range of updateable reference resources for prosecutors, deliver pilot training of a sample of prosecutors, and training of prosecutorial trainers, and conduct monitoring and evaluation of prosecutorial training effectiveness.
Speaking about the benefits of the academy, the DPP Jane Frances Abodo said, “The Prosecutors will be trained on the emerging trends in criminal activity, acquire new prosecutorial skills suitable for the 21st century, become trainers of trainers, and train other criminal justice actors. The academy will reach all prosecutors in every area of Uganda, and greatly reduce the costs and logistics involved in physical training.”
Mr. Alex Bennie, Barrister and Director of Programmes for EVOLVE - FILA who attended remotely from the UK said, “Prosecutors are the backbone of a Criminal Justice System, and as a criminal justice development organisation, it is essential that EVOLVE supports them.” Alex Bennie will head up delivery of the project.
Mr. Kibirige Apollo Kasujja, the Senior Project Coordinator at EVOLVE - FILA also said, “The signing of the MOU is a milestone on the journey of a great partnership towards achievement of a common goal of improving access to justice, promotion of integrity, fairness and efficiency in the Criminal Justice System in Uganda.”
The British High Commissioner, Her Excellency Kate Airey said, “I believe that this Virtual Prosecutors’ Academy will play a vital role in the improvement of professional skills and potentially broaden job-based specialisation in tackling crime for improved business climate and law and order.”
EVOLVE – FILA will be funded to offer the technical assistance to the ODPP by the UK Government through ROLE UK.
For media enquiries, please contact:
Jacquelyn Okui
Public Relations Officer
Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions
Tel: 0741244147
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Kibirige Apollo Kasujja
Ag. Communications Officer
EVOLVE - FILA
Tel: 0703446214
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
LAUNCH OF THE 5TH STRATEGIC PLAN OF THE OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC PROSECUTIONS
Written by Kambale Reagan
LAUNCH OF THE 5TH STRATEGIC PLAN OF THE OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC PROSECUTIONS
Today 31st May 2022, the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Hon. Wilson Muruli Mukasa has launched the 5th Strategic Plan of the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) under the theme, “Streamlined, Efficient and Effective Prosecutions for Sustainable Socio–economic Transformation.” The Strategic Plan will provide the guiding framework and broad direction for the ODPP for the period 2021/2022 to 2025/2026.
The plan details the strategic direction for the ODPP for the aforementioned five years, presents the interventions and activities that will be conducted by each department within the ODPP, the costed implementation arrangements that draw up a risk and mitigation mechanism, the communication and financing plan and the Monitoring and Evaluation, Learning Framework for the ODPP to follow–up on its implementation and results.
Speaking at the launch, the Director of Public Prosecutions Jane Frances Abodo said, “The plan will guide prosecutorial agencies in Uganda to conduct, exercise and perform their powers under a coordinated, cohesive, fair, transparent and consistent justice system with the aim of enhancing public confidence in the criminal justice system and ensuring a crime free society, which are critical for Uganda’s socio–economic transformation.”
The Hon. Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs noted that there would be need for sufficient resource allocation to ensure that the strategies in the plan are realised. He pledged the ministry’s continued commitment to support the ODPP in order to ensure successful implementation of the plan. He further said, “I hope to see a better and more vibrant ODPP with more output that will increase the confidence of the beneficiaries.”
Ms. Sharon Nyambe, the Head of Office, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) said, “In the framework of our new programme, UNODC will support the ODPP build capacity in the area of cybercrime, combatting illicit flows, money laundering, and recovery of proceeds of crime.”
UNODC is partnering with the ODPP and will support the dissemination of the Strategic Plan in a bid to ensure its implementation.
Jacquelyn Okui
Public Relations Officer
Tel: +256 786927311
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
OFFICE OF THE DPP LAUNCHES WILDLIFE PROSECUTION GUIDELINES
Written by Kambale Reagan
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions in collaboration with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) have launched “Guidelines on Investigations and Prosecutions of Wildlife Crimes in Uganda” at Garden Hotel–Entebbe today.
The Guidelines (Rapid Reference Guide) will provide a roadmap for prosecutors, investigators and other key stakeholders on how to implement the new Uganda Wildlife Act 2020, with an emphasis on drafting of charges and adhering to prosecutorial standard operating procedures while handling such cases.
At the launch, the Deputy DPP (Prosecutions), Mr. Charles Elem–Ogwal noted that, the tourist sector in Uganda is one of the most lucrative sources of revenue and employment, however this has been hampered by the significant increase of wildlife crimes over the years. The crimes have taken on the character of international organized crimes facilitated by syndicated criminal gangs engaged in transnational money laundering and transnational activities. He underscored the importance of the Guidelines as a tool in curbing wildlife crime.
The Executive Director of Uganda Wildlife Education and Conservative Center (UWEC), Dr. James Musinguzi officiated the launch of the Guidelines and remarked that Uganda is a country rich in biodiversity, but wildlife crime especially illegal wildlife is challenging the conservation efforts in Uganda. He welcomed the Guidelines and noted that they will go a long way in contributing towards the effective investigations, prosecutions and adjudication of wildlife crimes.
Jacquelyn Okui
Public Relations Officer
DPP LAUNCHES ODPP TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS PROSECUTION GUIDELINES
Written by Kambale Reagan
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) with support from the Human Trafficking Institute has launched the ODPP Trafficking in Persons Prosecution Guidelines, for effective handling of Trafficking in Persons cases.
The Trafficking in Persons Prosecution Guidelines are offered to aid Ugandan prosecutors working to prevent and combat Trafficking in Persons, protect and assist victims, and effectively cooperate with other stakeholders in doing so.
These Guidelines highlight effective practices and techniques in every phase of the prosecution process and will be used as a practical guide and training tool for Ugandan prosecutors.
Speaking at the launch, the DPP Jane Frances Abodo who was the Chief Guest said, When prosecuting Trafficking in Persons cases, it is expected that prosecutors will follow these Guidelines to strategize, plan, prepare, and equip themselves with the right foundation to be successful. It is this foundation that will lead to better results in the prosecution of these cases, both in terms of victim support and in aggressive punishment of traffickers in Uganda.”
She further said, “When prosecutors aggressively pursue and have traffickers, punished, victims receive justice and community safety increases significantly for the most vulnerable.”
The Hon the Principle Judge commended the ODPP for the milestone towards criminal justice.
Jacquelyn Okui
Public Relations Officer
ODPP LAUNCHES PROSECUTOR PLEA BARGAIN GUIDELINES
Written by Kambale Reagan
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) with support from UN Women has launched Prosecutor Plea Bargain Guidelines.
The main objective of the Guidelines is to streamline the processes to be followed by prosecutors in conducting plea bargain and to enhance the efficiency of the criminal justice system for orderly, predictable, uniform, consistent and timely resolution of criminal matters.
They contain principles of plea bargaining, types of plea bargaining, the law applicable to the process, an outline of the plea bargaining process, contents of the plea bargain agreement, and its execution, monitoring and evaluation of the plea bargain procedure, as well as the roles of the parties involved in plea bargaining, their rights, and support systems.
“The Prosecutor Plea Bargain Guidelines are intended to train and build the capacity of all stakeholders in the criminal justice system and in particular – Prosecutors, Judicial Officers, Defence Lawyers, Police and Prisons Officers on the objectives and procedures of plea bargaining which are human rights based, victim/survivor centred and gender sensitive,” said the DPP Jane Frances Abodo at the launch.
On behalf of the Judiciary, the Hon the Principal Judge Dr. Flavian Zeija embraced the Guidelines as a remedy for injustices that were being caused during the process, particularly unfair sentences.
Dr. Benson Oketch, the Chief Guest who represented the UN Women Country Representative at the launch said, “The Guidelines are intended to elevate the survivors’ voices by allowing them to participate in the plea bargain process.”
The DPP expressed her gratitude to UN Women, EU–UN Spotlight Initiative and the Embassy of Sweden for the financial support towards the development of the Guidelines.
Jacquelyn Okui
Public Relations Officer
