Kasese, Uganda– The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), through its Anti-Corruption Department (ACD), on May 7, 2026 convened a high-level stakeholder engagement in Kasese District under the Fort Portal Regional Office aimed at strengthening inter-agency coordination, deepening understanding of corruption-related offences and investigative processes, and enhancing the implementation of Prosecution-Guided Investigations (PGI).
The engagement, held at the Resident State Attorney’s Office in Kasese, brought together officers from Kasese, Hima, Bwera, and Katwe Kabatoro. Participants included the Regional Police Commander for Rwenzori East, the Regional Internal Security Officer (RISO), Regional CID Officer, Divisional CID Officers, District Internal Security Officers (DISOs), Crime Intelligence Officers, ODPP prosecutors, and Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) prosecutors.
In his welcome remarks, Mr. Oundo Godfrey, the Resident State Attorney for Kasese, applauded participants for attending the engagement, noting that their presence demonstrated a shared commitment to upholding the rule of law and strengthening the fight against corruption.
Ms. Gertrude Apio, a Senior State Attorney in the Anti-Corruption Department, delivered a detailed presentation on offences under the Anti-Corruption Act and related legislation, including the Anti-Money Laundering Act, the Penal Code Act, and the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Act. She explained that the ACD, a centralized department within the ODPP, is mandated to handle corruption-related prosecutions across the country.
She further commended investigators for their critical role in sustaining a high conviction rate in corruption-related cases through thorough and professional investigations.
Ms. Safina Bireke, Chief State Attorney and Head of the PGI Unit, outlined the ODPP’s constitutional mandate and highlighted key anti-corruption initiatives undertaken by the institution, including Prosecution-Guided Investigations, stakeholder engagements, and public complaint reporting mechanisms.
She also emphasized the importance of the Asset Recovery Unit, noting that it plays a vital role in tracing, confiscating, and recovering proceeds of corruption and other criminal activities.
Mr. Ngene Reuben, a prosecutor attached to the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), discussed the institution’s role in handling criminal matters related to wildlife offences. He pointed out challenges such as limited public appreciation of wildlife crimes and corruption-related offences.
D/SP Hassan Serengeti, the Regional CID Officer for Rwenzori East, highlighted the role of the Police in complaint management, investigations, and witness protection in corruption cases. He cited several interventions aimed at strengthening the anti-corruption fight, including the establishment of specialized anti-corruption units, toll-free reporting channels, continuous training for officers, accountability measures, and internal disciplinary mechanisms.
Mr. Ikaba Mohammed, the District Internal Security Officer for Busongola, underscored the importance of intelligence gathering and information sharing among agencies in identifying corruption indicators and preventing corruption-related offences.
While moderating the feedback session, Ms. Josephine Namatovu, Head of the Anti-Corruption Department, reiterated the ODPP’s core values of integrity, transparency, and accountability. She cautioned Police investigators against treating procedural breaches by public officers lightly, warning that such breaches often carry criminal intent.
She also encouraged continuous professional training among investigators and prosecutors, observing that corruption trends had evolved and become increasingly systemic.
In his closing remarks, the Regional Internal Security Officer for Rwenzori Region, Capt. Gilbert Winyi, commended the ODPP for organizing the timely engagement and called for regular coordination forums to assess progress, strengthen collaboration among agencies, and enhance accountability in the fight against corruption.
