The Office of the Director of Public Prosecution (ODPP), has urged newly recruited State Attorneys to serve the public with utmost humility, transparency, integrity, and patriotism and to take upright decisions without fear, favor, malice, or ill-will.

Jane Abodo, the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), said this during the opening of the week-long induction for the recruits under ODPP at Hotel Brovad in Masaka. It is being held in partnership with the Civil Service College of Uganda, the Human Trafficking Institute, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, and Redeem International.

Abodo said that the induction, which is running from December 3rd to 9th, 2023, is intended to equip the recruits with knowledge and skills to effectively and efficiently execute their prosecutorial function.

“We want to provide you with modern and adequate prosecutorial tools. There is a diversity of topics to equip you with the knowledge and skills to professionally discharge your functions at your different stations. It is my hope that by the end of this training, you will adapt more to your job and to the public service with ease,” Abodo said.

She stated that prosecutors wield a great deal of power, and it is up to each of them to either use that power wisely or misuse it, causing suffering to innocent Ugandans. However, she added that there would be consequences for either action, and she pleaded with them to be humane and execute justice.

The DPP also informed the recruits that the management of the ODPP had constituted a team to coach them on the daily workings and business processes of the ODPP.

The Commissioner of the Civil Service College of Uganda, Savia Mugwanya, advised the recruits to be responsive, address citizen issues, and make a difference. She also advised them to create brands with a purpose in order to leave a legacy.

The Director of Programs at Redeem International, Innocent Mudeebo, advised the recruits to manage cases of widows and orphans with keen interest and compassion.

Some of the state attorneys (100) were recruited at the beginning of the financial year to address the longstanding staffing gap in the ODPP. Ten were already serving in the ODPP as senior state prosecutors and were appointed as state attorneys upon attainment of higher qualifications.