MPs grill DPP over planning lapses, unapproved construction works

KAMPALA - Members of Parliament (MPs) want the accounting officer in the Office of the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) held accountable over a string of planning lapses.

The legislators made the call on February 26, 2026, during an engagement with the entity’s delegation, which included Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions John Baptist Asiimwe and permanent secretary Agnes Khainza.

The concerns followed observations in the Auditor General (AG) Edward Akol’s report on the entity for the year ending December 2025, which say while the ODPP had budgeted shillings seven billion to purchase 40 motor vehicles, by year-end it had spent 6.8 billion on only 32 vehicles.

A phenomenon several lawmakers, including Goretth Namugga, Kassanda North County MP Patrick Guma Oshabe Nsamba (NUP) say might have emanated from underestimation.

“The answer is not necessarily that they never got the funds. But the cost was higher than the estimate,” Nsamba argued.

“Because you planned and did research about the cost. At least, we can allow that there can be a reasonable variance, but eight vehicles are a lot. Either you underestimated, you know, so avoid that. Always avoid guesswork in planning,” Namugga cautioned.

DPP responds

However, Khainza in defence said the lacuna was not their own making.

“It is because we didn’t receive all the funds that were the reason. It was a non-release of all the money,” she stated.

“Most of the vehicles were at shillings 250 million. The two billion would buy the eight,” she added.

Unapproved construction of offices

However, legislators soon seized on another audit observation, which showed that shillings 435 million had been budgeted for the ongoing construction of the Resident District Attorney’s office in Yumbe district.

Records seen by New Vision Onlineindicate that the project was contracted to Tiabsa Services Ltd, which had by then been paid shillings 76.67 million.

However, according to Auditor General Edward Akol, the project proceeded without an approved building plan or permit, and workers were found to be operating without the required personal protective gear.

The revelation did not sit well with Silas Aogon (Kumi Municipality, Independent), who questioned how an agency mandated to uphold the law could itself operate outside it.

“When we talk about plan approval, there is a reasoning behind it. It’s for safety, for instance, we are talking about fire exits, aeration…how do you really go for a construction project and you do not have a plan approved?” Aogon said.

Khainza’s hasty apology did little to deter other members from further pressing her.

“I apologise that for the construction under review, by the time the auditors visited the site, we had not received the building plans from the districts, but we normally submit these at the commencement, before we even hand over the site. But for one reason or another, the district takes a long time to give us the approved plan. But we are making a follow-up, we have written to all these,” she said.

“Madam accounting officer, take note of these serious irregularities. These cannot be mistakes made by [the] Government. If Government cannot have an approved plan, then why does KCCA (Kampala City Council Authority) break people’s homes? Is it because people fear office of the DPP, state attorneys?” Namugga countered.

Similar cases

The same report shows that the Resident State Attorney’s office in Oyam district under construction at a cost of shillings 427 million by Spark Technical Services, similarly lacks the requisite building approvals and a land title.

The project, which is expected to be completed on May 26 this year, also includes paving of the parking area, supply of furniture, and installation of CCTV cameras.

The situation is no different at Nakasongola, where the Prosecutors’ Academy is also being constructed by Spark Technical Services at a contract sum of shillings 481 million.

By the time of inspection, 135.27 million had already been paid, with works scheduled for completion by January 10 this year, yet the same compliance gaps were noted.

Equally concerning is the Resident State Attorney’s office in Bugiri, being constructed by Arch Techo Crafts Ltd at a cost of shillings 436 million. At the time of inspection, the project lacked the required approvals, even though works had been temporarily suspended for lack of these requirements.

Meanwhile, the DPP regional office in Moroto, projected to cost shillings 567 million, had not paid out a penny to the contractors. Like the aforementioned, none of the mandatory requirements, including land ownership documentation and approved building plans, had been fulfilled.

Way forward

“Let’s look out for what to pick out of this and continuous improvement, we can do better. This is in the interest of serving our country. You occupy a very strategic space. Justice is not something you cannot underestimate. So, just help us and put your house to order. We know you cannot be a hundred per cent; there is a standard of service delivery that is expected of each office of Government. We just pray that you do your part,” Namugga said as she wrapped up the meeting.