By Mulengera Reporters
Lawmakers have expressed concern over the severe understaffing at the Office of the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), which currently operates at only 38% capacity. The situation has been further worsened by the retirement of 105 staff members in 2024, significantly hindering access to timely justice for suspects.
This issue was raised during a meeting between Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee and ODPP officials. The meeting was convened following summons to address concerns highlighted in the 2023/24 Auditor General’s report. The report revealed that although the ODPP’s staff structure provides for 1,482 personnel, only 577 positions were filled, leaving 905 vacancies. Among the critical unfilled positions is that of the Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions in charge of Prosecutions.
Staffing Shortages
Mawogola South MP Gorreth Namugga described the staffing shortfall as unacceptable.
“The DPP staffing level stands at just 38% — out of 1,482 positions, only 577 are filled. This is completely unacceptable. The last time ODPP officials appeared before this committee, this issue was raised prominently. We cannot allow the Office of the DPP to continue operating with such a severe shortage. Some matters cannot wait for Treasury Memoranda; this must be addressed in plenary immediately, as it is directly responsible for delayed justice,” she stated.
Tororo District Woman Representative Sarah Opendi questioned why the ODPP had not implemented the Auditor General’s recommendations to reallocate resources and prioritize filling urgent vacancies. She noted that despite the retirement of 105 staff members in 2024, UGX 2.7 billion allocated for salaries went unused and was returned to the Consolidated Fund.
“Why didn’t you implement a strategy to address this? With so many unemployed professionals available, why was this wage fund returned? The ODPP should anticipate retirements in a given financial year and plan recruitment in advance. For example, as we approach the 2025/26 financial year, are you identifying those set to retire and ensuring new hires are in place before funds lapse?” Opendi asked.
Staffing Challenges
Agnes Kainza, the Permanent Secretary of ODPP, acknowledged the dire situation, stating that most of the 128 prosecution stations nationwide are manned by only one officer, who is often required to serve multiple judicial officers across different districts.
“We have repeatedly requested funding from the Ministry of Finance to recruit additional staff. Even this year, we submitted a request, but we have been informed that funds will not be provided,” Kainza explained.
George William Byansi, Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions for Inspections, Quality Assurance, Research, and Training, called on Parliament to intervene.
“The immediate solution is for Parliament to approve an increase in staffing. Otherwise, we will continue to struggle with this manpower crisis,” he said.
Poor Performance
The ODPP also came under fire for its poor performance and ineffective planning. The Auditor General’s report revealed that while the Directorate received UGX 23 billion to handle 5,000 case files for committal to the High Court, only 1,996 cases were processed, despite full expenditure of the funds.
MPs demanded accountability for the discrepancy.
“You were allocated funds to commit 5,000 cases for trial at the High Court, but you only processed 1,996 cases. Where did the money for the remaining cases go? Your explanation in the report is theoretical. We need concrete answers,” demanded MP Muwanga Kivumbi.
Kainza explained that while the ODPP had planned for 5,000 cases, the Uganda Police only forwarded 1,996 files ready for committal.
“We do not determine the number of case files we receive from Police. The funding is not calculated on a per-file basis; rather, prosecutors receive salaries, not allowances, for case handling,” she clarified.
However, MPs rejected this reasoning.
“We are not questioning the number of cases handled. We are asking where the allocated funds for the unhandled cases went. Budgeting is done on a unit-cost basis, and unspent balances should have been reflected,” Kivumbi retorted.
Vice Chairperson of the Public Accounts Committee, Gorreth Namugga, questioned the inconsistency in ODPP’s explanations.
“Your official response attributes the underperformance to delays in police investigations, a reduced number of cases received, and understaffing. However, the report presented to Parliament contradicts this. Which version is accurate?” she asked.
Unfulfilled Activities
Frustrated by the ODPP’s failure to provide satisfactory answers, Muwanga warned that Parliament would calculate the cost of unfulfilled activities and hold officials accountable for any misappropriated funds.
“We are serious about this. We will compute these amounts and ensure those responsible refund the money. Budgeting is not based on assumptions. If ODPP planned for 5,000 cases and only handled 1,996, there should be a record of unspent funds. We are querying approximately UGX 23 billion for partial implementation, and this must be accounted for,” Muwanga stated.
The Auditor General’s report further highlighted that 10 planned outputs with 106 activities, worth UGX 23.83 billion, were only partially implemented. Despite receiving full funding, the ODPP prosecuted and committed fewer cases than planned, raising concerns over financial accountability and operational efficiency.
“My review of the ODPP’s annual casework performance report for FY 2023/24 revealed that the Directorate failed to meet any of its annual targets for the various case categories under examination,” noted Auditor General Edward Akol.
The ongoing parliamentary probe aims to ensure accountability and address systemic inefficiencies within the ODPP to enhance the delivery of justice in Uganda-Parliament Watch. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
