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 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.”
