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The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Jane Frances Abodo has urged prosecutors to uphold integrity in executing their mandate.

Abodo made the appeal to the prosecutors during the opening of the three-day prosecutors’ symposium at Hotel Africana on Monday (April 22, 2024).

“Please, serve with utmost humility, transparency, integrity and patriotism. I think patriotism is what we all miss. If we were taught to love our country, we have to make sure we do the right thing, we don’t engage in corrupt tendencies, and serve people when it is due to them,” Abodo said.

Lady Justice Jane Frances Abodo, Director of Public Prosecutions addresses state prosecutors during the annual prosecutor’s symposium 2024 workshop at Hotel African in Kampala on April 22, 2024. (Photo by Maria Wamala)

Abodo said the three-day symposium is an opportunity for the over 400 prosecutors to discuss the current and future role of the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) and other prosecutorial agencies on how to counter emerging organised crime.

“The standard of prosecutorial service expected of us is very high, which requires us to take reasonable steps to ensure that our services are effective, fair and transparent and that we are skilled, updated in addressing emerging challenges in relation to crime,” Abodo said.

Fighting organised crime is the major topic during the three-day symposium.

A cross section of state prosecutors during the annual prosecutor’s symposium 2024 workshop at Hotel African in Kampala on April 22, 2024. (Credit: Maria Wamala)

The chief prosecutor said while the menace of organised crime is a global problem, Uganda’s location and high levels of corruption make it a safe haven for the commission of all types of crime including the cross border.

Mohamed Munir, UNICEF country representative addressing state prosecutors during the annual prosecutor’s symposium 2024 workshop at Hotel African in Kampala on April 22, 2024. (Credit: Maria Wamala)

Organised crime is a continuing criminal enterprise that rationally works to profit from illicit activities that are often in great public demand. Its continuing existence is maintained through corruption of public officials and the use of intimidation, threats or force to protect its operations.

From left to Right: Juliet Nafuna, Redeem International National Director, Gabrielle Massey, Human Trafficking Institute Country Director, Rachel Musoke Odoi, Senior Technical Advisor, Lady Justice Jane Frances Abodo, Director of Public Prosecutions, Mohamed Munir, UNICEF country representative and Sharon Nyambe, UNODC in Uganda pose for a photo with state prosecutors during the annual prosecutor’s symposium 2024 workshop at Hotel African in Kampala on April 22, 2024. (Credit: Maria Wamala)

According to the African Organised Crime Index of 2023, Uganda is ranked seventh out of the 54 African countries and second among the eight East African countries with the highest organised crime.