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Government has allocated 42 vehicles to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution (ODPP) to facilitate the attendance of public prosecutors at court proceedings in remote areas.

The government has provided the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution with 42 vehicles to ensure that public prosecutors can attend all court proceedings in difficult-to-reach places, helping to ensure that every Ugandan in the nation receives justice.

Norbert Mao, the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, advised the Resident State Attorneys who got the vehicles to use them to enhance prosecution service delivery rather than for their own use as he handed them off on Tuesday 20^th June 2023 at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds.

“These vehicles are a tool to help you perform your job rightly, it’s my humble request that you use them to meet the original goal as to why the government spent taxpayers’ money to procure them for you.”

Mao stated, “The ODPP must be able to account for the power of the State for protection,” in reference to the difficult and dangerous nature of prosecutors’ jobs. The Ugandan government is committed to helping the ODPP carry out its duties.

The Resident State Attorney (RSA) stations that received cars included Kisoro, Ntungamo, Amuru/Nwoya, Patongo, Pader, Paida, Moyo, Hoima, Adjumani, Soroti, Kibaale, Kabale, Rukungiri, Mbarara, Buhweju, Abim, Bududa, Nakaseke, Jinja, Iganga, Bulisa, Kapchorwa, Kiruhura, Katakwi, and Kaberamaido. Vehicles were delivered to the regional offices in Arua, Mbale, Lira, Gulu, Tororo, and Masaka.

The International Crimes Department, Anti-Corruption Department, Department of Field Operations, and Department of General Case Work are among the head office departments that received vehicles.

Speaking at the handover ceremony, Ms. Kainza Agnes Nzogi, the Undersecretary/Accounting Officer said, “In addition to easing staff and file movement, these vehicles will improve coordination and supervision of field stations. They will also motivate ODPP staff that have accepted to work in hard–to–reach and hard–to–live areas.”

The Deputy DPP/Prosecutions, Mr. Odumbi James Owere, made a commitment on behalf of the Prosecutors to put more effort into the administration of prosecutions, try to keep time, oversee stations in regions, and travel to places with sub-courts.

The DPP, Lady Justice Jane Frances Abodo, thanked the Ugandan government for its assistance in enhancing the effectiveness of prosecutors in carrying out their duties. She also expressed her gratitude to the ODPP’s Undersecretary/Accounting Officer and the Finance and Administration Department for their commitment to the purchase of the vehicles.