Mbarara– Today, 13 April 2026, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions has opened a week-long induction for 38 newly appointed State Attorneys at Las Vegas Hotel in Mbarara. The Director of Public Prosecutions, Mr Lino Anguzu, officially opened the programme and welcomed the new prosecutors into the institution.
He congratulated them on earning a place in public service and reminded them that the role they now assume calls for more than technical skill. It calls for character.
He urged them to anchor their work on three guiding principles. Devotion to the cause, Dedication to their duties, and Discipline in their conduct. He encouraged them to carry these values into every station where they will serve and to stand as worthy representatives of the Office.
In his address, the Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions, Mr John Baptist Asiimwe, spoke with candour about the nature of prosecutorial work. He urged the new officers to remain open to growth, to learn, unlearn, and relearn as the demands of justice evolve.
He reminded them that their true client is the victim of crime and that their work must be guided by fairness, not the pursuit of convictions. He called for integrity in all circumstances and warned against the quiet pull of corruption.
The Permanent Secretary, Ms Agnes Khainza, acknowledged the support of the International Development Law Organization in making the induction possible.
She spoke to the value of such a programme in easing the transition into service and grounding new officers in the ethos of the institution.
She reminded them that they serve as ministers of justice and that their words, decisions, and conduct carry the voice of the Office itself. She called on them to serve with honour, wisdom, and integrity.
Representing the International Development Law Organization, Mr Samson Asiimwe the Programs Manager, reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to strengthening the rule of law.
He expressed confidence that the addition of the new State Attorneys would deepen the reach of the ODPP across the country and enhance access to justice.
He described the induction as a critical step in preparing them for that responsibility.
Ms Barbara Kawuma, Head of Field Operations, encouraged the new prosecutors to approach their work with energy and openness. She urged them to embrace innovation and make effective use of technology in delivering their mandate.
With the formal opening concluded, the induction moved into its substantive sessions, beginning with an overview of the constitutional mandate of the ODPP and its organizational structure. Over the coming days, the participants will engage in practical and reflective learning on key areas of prosecutorial work, including a human rights based approach to prosecution, plea bargaining, trial advocacy, quality assurance, service delivery standards, and the conduct of criminal proceedings.
