Jinja– The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Mr. Lino Anguzu, on 12 December 2025 chaired a high-level ODPP–CID Coordination Meeting in the Jinja Region, aimed at strengthening inter-agency collaboration and enhancing the effectiveness of criminal justice delivery.
The meeting was held at Nile Village Hotel in Jinja District.
In his opening remarks, at the meeting held at Nile Village Hotel in Jinja, the Regional Officer Jinja, Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions Alex Ojok, commended the strong working relationship between the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) and the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) in the region.
He, however, highlighted a persistent challenge—the shortage of prosecutors—which continues to affect the timely and effective administration of justice.
This concern was echoed by the Deputy Regional CID Officer, SP Patrick Okello, who underscored the operational strain resulting from limited human resources.
The Regional Police Commander for Kiira Region, SSP Nsaba Charles, called for deeper partnership and closer coordination between the ODPP and the Police, emphasizing that crime prevention and management are shared responsibilities that require sustained institutional cooperation.
In his presentation, the Deputy DPP in charge of Prosecutions and International Affairs, Mr. Odumbi James Owere, reiterated that the ODPP–CID coordination framework is intended to strengthen institutional capacity and enable both agencies to effectively discharge their respective mandates.
He urged prosecutors and investigators to uphold high professional standards, particularly in the face of staffing constraints and case backlogs. He stressed that only well-investigated and meritorious cases should be sanctioned for prosecution, warning against the incarceration of innocent persons due to incomplete investigations.
Mr. Owere further cautioned against the reconciliation of parties in serious criminal matters and emphasized the proper and lawful use of plea bargaining as an efficient tool within the criminal justice system.
Addressing the meeting, DPP Lino Anguzu delivered a firm and principled message, reminding participants of their constitutional and moral duty to the public.
“We have a product to deliver to the people of Uganda: criminal justice, law and order, fairness, and the protection of human rights,” he said.
The DPP reaffirmed that the constitutional mandate to determine who should be prosecuted lies with the ODPP, and cautioned the Police against effecting rushed arrests where investigations are incomplete. He challenged both prosecutors and investigators to improve the quality of justice delivered to society by demonstrating professionalism, discipline, and clarity of purpose in their work.
“If we prioritize cases and work in an organized manner, we can significantly reduce case backlog and decongest our prisons,” he emphasized.
He further issued a strong warning against human rights violations and corruption, calling for integrity, accountability, and discipline at all stages of the criminal justice process.
The meeting concluded with robust and candid discussions on key challenges and best practices in the investigation and prosecution of criminal cases, reaffirming the shared commitment of the ODPP and CID to strengthening justice delivery in the Jinja Region and across the country.
