DPP SIGNS MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WITH SPACE FOR GIANTS

Today the 3^rd of March 2021, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Justice Jane Frances Abodo has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Space for Giants (SFG) to strengthen the ability of the Office of the DPP to handle cases involving wildlife crimes.

The MOU was signed in the boardroom of the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) in a meeting attended by Mr. Katto Wambua, Wildlife Justice and Rule of Law Manager, Space for Giants, Mr. Justus Karuhanga, Country Representative, Space for Giants, Mr. Charles Elem–Ogwal, Deputy DPP (Prosecutions), Mr. Odumbi James Owere, Deputy DPP (International Affairs), Ms. Barbra Kawuma Bugembe, Assistant DPP/Head, Environmental and Wildlife Crime Division, Thomas Jatiko, Assistant DPP, International Crimes among others, chaired by the DPP.

Space for Giants is an international conservation non–governmental organisation based in Africa and committed to supporting governments to protect wildlife and Africa’s critical landscapes/ecosystem from ever–increasing pressures and wildlife crime. It collaborates with national and regional authorities on prosecution, law reform, wildlife management, policing and judicial authorities as well as international agencies and national, regional and international NGOs.

In her remarks, the DPP noted that the signing of the MOU was the beginning of an esteemed and privileged partnership between the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions – Uganda and Space for Giants.

She said, “Wildlife crimes have the potential to affect the natural ecosystem, communities and livelihoods. Wildlife crimes can also be transnational, implying that the sources of financing are syndicates of international organised criminals. The danger with this, is that some of these syndicates could end up financing other serious crimes like terrorism and arms trade. It is for this reason that the

Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions – Uganda has taken a keen interest in wildlife crime by setting up a specialised division based at the head office to handle and coordinate the management of all cases involving wildlife crimes. The division also monitors and assesses the management and prosecution of cases involving wildlife crimes by delegated prosecutors.”

The DPP thanked Space for Giants for the initiative and pledged to ensure that the Office of the DPP meets its end of the partnership. 

On behalf of Space for Giants, Mr. Katto Wambua, the Wildlife Justice and Rule of Law Manager at Space for Giants pledged to support the Wildlife Division of the Office of the DPP, scale it up to the regions and equip it. He further pledged to build the capacity of the Prosecutors and other stakeholders in handling cases involving wildlife crimes, support law reform proposals and international cooperation.

Mr. Katto Wambua thanked the DPP for affording Space for Giants the opportunity to consolidate its strategy.

Under the MOU, Space for Giants will assist the ODPP to strengthen and improve its ability to discharge its mandate through operationalization of the ODPP Wildlife Crime Prosecution Department, capacity building, developing a Wildlife Crime Training Curriculum and related educational materials, law reform, supporting regional and international legal cooperation mechanisms, enhancing case work standards and internal mechanisms for case management, and prosecutors’ awards.

Jacquelyn Okui

Public Relations Officer – ODPP