James Odumbi, the Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions (DDPP), has cautioned prosecutors in Masaka against passing wrongful charges, as the charges affect people’s lives negatively.
Odumbi, while speaking at a coordination meeting held on December 5, 2023, called upon prosecutors in Masaka and investigators to work well together so that they achieve success and avoid wrongful charges that impact negatively on people’s lives.
“Do not mismanage exhibits and delay investigations; wrongful charges impact the lives of people negatively; and above all, avoid corruption,” said Odumbi.
Jane Francis Abodo, Director of Public Prosecutions, who chaired the meeting, advised that the police submit case files to prosecutors for persuasion and not sanctioning.
She added that prosecutors may or may not sanction charges based on whether the file has sufficient evidence.
“I encourage community sensitization by both prosecutors and police so that the public is made aware of the respective functions of each,” Abodo said.
She further encouraged coordination and cooperation between stakeholders, including administration and defence counsel, if quick results are to be achieved.
Earlier, the DPP and her management team inspected Rakai and Kyotera ODPP stations to ensure adherence by ODPP staff to the ODPP performance standards.
Herbert Wanyoto, the regional Criminal Intelligence Detectives (CID) officer, decried the absence of the Office of Public Prosecutions in the districts of Lwengo, Kalungu, and Bukomanshimbi.
He noted that this poses challenges for the movement of case files and suspects to court. He also stated that there are inadequate funds to summon witnesses, which has led to the dismissal of some cases for failure to produce witnesses.
The Directorate of Prosecutions ensures that criminal cases are critically examined before they are registered in court, that police are directed to institute criminal investigations in appropriate cases, and that there is takeover and continuance of criminal proceedings instituted by other persons or authorities.