Sseggona contends that since court martial is established outside Article 129 of the constitution, it cannot be taken as an impartial and independent court.
Documents tabled by DPP Mike Chibita before the committee chaired by West Budama South MP Jacob Oboth-Oboth, indicate that the Directorate of Public Prosecutions has no office in 23 districts with its presence currently registered in 98 districts. However, with the latest number of districts in the country standing at 121, this puts the DPPs absence in 40 districts.
One case that deputy IGG George Bamugemereire cited is the 2014 Katosi road scam that resulted in a financial loss of 24.7 billion Shillings to the Government of Uganda. He says many institutions were involved in investigating Katosi and after a few weeks, one of them said there was no evidence and recommended that the probe be halted. Bamugemereire says the office of the IGG decided to take the case forward. The Anti-corruption court in October ruled that there is a prima facie case and ordered involved officials to file defenses.
Gerald Karuhanga, the Public Accounts Committee Vice Chairman, saying adopting officials from the IGG and DPP will boost the fight against corruption and make it more effective.
Erasto Kibirango, a lawyer with Kwizera Mukisa and Company Advocates says such delays benefit the accused persons as they are overtaken by events as both the complainants and witness lose interest in the matter.
The bill also gives powers to the Inspector General of Police to freeze any account in financial institutions, upon evidence that the account has funds intended for terrorism activities. The IGP would also have powers to seize properties owned by terrorism convicts.
The new Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Justice Mike Chibita, has today officially reported for duty, two months after his approval by Parliament. Explaining the delay to report for duty, Chibita said he received his instrument of appointment on September 27 and that he had to wind up the judicial work at his desk before reporting for the new task.
The Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) has finally replied an application for amnesty by Thomas Kwoyelo, the former LRA rebel commander. However, the response to an application Kwoyelo submitted in May 2010 is short of what he expected.
The confusion surrounding Kwoyelo’s freedom status begun last Friday when after a court ruling ceasing his prosecution, he was instead handcuffed and whisked away in a prisons car to Luzira prison where he has remained on remand despite the ruling.
