Buteera stressed that laws are in place to combat human trafficking, but they need to be effectively implemented. He urged prosecutors to guide police investigations to ensure that evidence is gathered in compliance with constitutional guidelines.
(Left to Right) The DPP Abodo, Deputy Chief Justice Richard Buteera, Lady Justice Susan Okalany and UAP President Immaculate Angutoko at the Prosecutors Annual General Meeting.
Deputy Chief Justice Richard Buteera has advised prosecutors on effective prosecution techniques and guided them on how to secure more convictions.
Buteera was speaking during the Uganda Association of Prosecutors (UAP) Annual General Meeting in Kampala. The meeting's theme, "The Human Trafficking Phenomenon: The Role of Prosecutors in Combating the Crime," highlighted the importance of prosecutors in fighting human trafficking.
Buteera emphasized that human trafficking crimes, such as organ removal, child trafficking for labour, and sexual exploitation, are constantly evolving.
Buteera stressed that laws are in place to combat human trafficking, but they need to be effectively implemented. He urged prosecutors to guide police investigations to ensure that evidence is gathered in compliance with constitutional guidelines. Prosecutors must also ensure that charges are properly filed and comply with governing laws, such as the Trial and Indictment Act.
According to Buteera, a poorly drafted charge sheet can lead to the acquittal of accused persons, even if prosecutors have overwhelming evidence. He acknowledged that effective prosecution requires a good understanding of laws and guidelines for prosecutors.
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Buteera advised prosecutors to prepare witnesses properly, including preparing them to testify in court without fear. He also encouraged prosecutors to educate the public about their work through radio, community outreach, and public lectures.
Buteera further advised that guidelines should be put in place to avoid re-traumatizing the victims of crime and noted that he was happy that the Office of the DPP has child-friendly rooms.
Buteera awarded certificates to outstanding prosecutors for their contributions to the association, the majority of whom were the previous outgoing leadership of the Association of Prosecutors including State Attorneys James Khaukha and the former General Counsel Timothy Amerit.
The President of the Uganda Prosecutors Association, Immaculate Angutoko Draru, expressed concerns about the transfer of prosecutors and called for a more transparent process.
However, in response, the Director of Public Prosecutions Jane Frances Abodo said that it is difficult to transfer people based on a policy. She said at times Prosecutors are threatened by politicians and other people in certain places and because of many reasons, they have to transfer them immediately.
She said when prosecutors are transferred, they should be able to get disturbance allowances.
Abodo promised that although they got budget cuts, they should be paid per diem when they travel away from work. She said on other days, they should consider it as normal work for which they are paid salaries.
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Deputy Inspector General of Government Dr Patricia Achan emphasized the need to disrupt the human trafficking chain in Uganda. Achan questioned the current efforts to combat human trafficking and expressed concern over the apparent silence of law enforcement agencies.
Achan noted that there is the issue of recruitment agencies taking people abroad, noting a clear link between corruption and trafficking. She stressed that corruption allows human trafficking crimes to remain hidden, ultimately weakening democracy and stalling development.
Lady Justice Susan Okalany, Deputy Head of the International Crimes Division of the High Court, discussed the abuse of trafficking victims by employers abroad.
Okalany noted that Ugandans are also being trafficked domestically for labour in industries such as steel manufacturing, working in bars, and restaurants, fishing, and stone quarrying among others.
Okalany emphasized the need for more training for prosecutors, as they often send cases to the International Crimes Division that could be handled by Magistrates' Courts.
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Last month, a total of 1,037 victims of human trafficking were identified and rescued in Uganda between January and October this year, according to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Jane Frances Abodo.
In 2023, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni announced a tax waiver on all salaries for Prosecutors attached to the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions and a salary increment, to match with their counterparts with the same qualifications in the Justice system.
Prosecutors from other government agencies have since demanded a similar waiver.
