Summary:
- Lady Justice Abodo emphasized the importance of reporting such cases to her office so that the responsible officers can be held accountable.
KABALE: The Director of Public Prosecutions, Hon. Lady Justice Jane Frances Abodo, has urged residents of Kabale District to report any police officers who extort money from them for services such as police bonds or investigations.
Lady Justice Abodo made these remarks in response to concerns raised by Daniel Eguma, a resident of Kabale District, who highlighted instances where police officers were demanding money in exchange for granting bond or conducting investigations. Eguma also raised the issue of police detaining suspects in custody without prosecuting them, which he said denied suspects their right to justice.
Lady Justice Abodo was speaking at an open-day Baraza organized by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), with support from the International Law Development Organization, at the Kabale District headquarters on Wednesday. She explained that public surveys conducted by her office revealed widespread confusion among the public about the roles of the DPP, judiciary, and police.
The event, held under the theme “Justice for All: Bringing Prosecution Services Closer to the People,” saw land-related issues dominate the discussions. In response, Lady Justice Abodo clarified that not all police officers demand money for issuing bonds or conducting investigations. However, she emphasized the importance of reporting such cases to her office so that the responsible officers can be held accountable. She reminded the public that these services are supposed to be free of charge.
Cue in Justice Abodo… on the matter… ENG//
Grace Nabagala Ntege, the ODPP Regional Officer for Kabale, welcomed the public and expressed gratitude for their participation. She also thanked the DPP for choosing Kabale as the venue for the first Baraza. Justice Samuel Emokor of the Kabale High Court, represented by Her Worship Agwero Catherine, the registrar, urged Lady Justice Abodo to consider expanding the ODPP office to Rubanda District to help ease the burden on the courts in handling cases.
Cue in Agwero… on Justice Emokor’s message… ENG//
The Kigezi Region Police Commander, SSP Saiga Ibrahim, praised the public Baraza as a reflection of the shared commitment between the police and prosecutors to uphold the rule of law, fairness, and transparency. He added that by bringing prosecution services closer to the people, they could facilitate timely justice and reduce barriers to accessing the legal system, especially for the most vulnerable.
SSP Saiga also pointed out several challenges facing the Kabale region, including irregular court sittings, which contribute to case backlogs, and understaffing in some district offices.
Cue in SSP Saiga… on challenges… ENG//
Kabale District LC5 Chairman, Nelson Nshangabasheija, reiterated his call for the Judiciary to establish a Court of Appeal in Kabale District to improve access to justice for residents. Meanwhile, Kabale Resident District Commissioner, Godfrey Nyakahuma, revealed that the district had secured premises in Ndorwa West and East County to host courts, reducing the distance residents need to travel to seek justice at the Kabale District Headquarters.
Cue in Nelson & RDC Nyakahuma… on the issue… ENG//
