Kampala, Uganda— The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Mr. Lino Anguzu, today chaired a high-level strategic engagement between the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) and Redeem International, an organisation dedicated to combating land and property grabbing crimes affecting widows and orphans.
The meeting focused on strengthening institutional cooperation, enhancing information-sharing mechanisms, and improving coordinated prosecution of illegal land and property dispossession. Both institutions reaffirmed their shared resolve to protect vulnerable victims, hold perpetrators accountable, and restore unlawfully taken land and homes.
Ms. Juliet Nafuna, the National Director of Redeem International, reiterated that the partnership with the ODPP is aimed at strengthening the prosecutorial environment within which the ODPP discharges its constitutional mandate. She emphasised that achieving sustainable justice for vulnerable communities requires strengthened prosecutorial capacity and deliberate, strategic collaboration.
During a detailed presentation, Redeem International highlighted significant achievements realised through the partnership. To date, 875 suspects implicated in land and property grabbing crimes against widows and orphans have been prosecuted, resulting in 268 convictions. In addition, 5,722 beneficiaries have been supported, 3,116 victims restored to their land and homes, and 3,280 survivors rehabilitated. These outcomes reflect not only successful prosecutions but also tangible restitution and social recovery for affected communities. However, the organisation noted that a shortage of prosecutors remains a key challenge affecting the timely disposal of cases.
Ms. Nafuna commended Mr. Andrew Odiit, Principal Assistant DPP and Head of the Land Crimes Department, for his leadership in coordinating joint efforts between the two institutions.
In his remarks, Mr. Anguzu reaffirmed that land and property grabbing offences remain a strategic priority for the ODPP, underscoring the establishment of a dedicated Land Crimes Department as a targeted intervention to address property-related criminality. He stressed the need to raise awareness among law enforcement agencies, judicial officers, and political leaders about the criminal nature of land grabbing. The DPP further outlined his vision to strengthen the ODPP’s Asset Recovery Unit to ensure that, in appropriate cases, stolen property is traced, recovered, and returned to rightful owners, thereby delivering justice that combines accountability with restitution.
Deputy DPP Mr. Odumbi James Owere emphasised the importance of community sensitisation as a preventive measure, noting that citizens must be empowered with knowledge on how to access the criminal justice system in cases of land and property dispossession.
Another Deputy DPP, Mr. John Baptist Asiimwe, observed that the forthcoming Annual Prosecutors’ Symposium presents a valuable platform for Redeem International to engage prosecutors from across the country, deepen technical collaboration, and strengthen coordinated response mechanisms.
The engagement marked a significant step towards reinforcing institutional synergy, enhancing prosecutorial effectiveness, and safeguarding the land and property rights of vulnerable Ugandans.
Both the ODPP and Redeem International reaffirmed their joint commitment to accountability, restoration, and the protection of widows and orphans from unlawful dispossession, ensuring that justice is not only pursued but meaningfully realised.
