Uganda among countries with highest criminality cases in Africa

By Francis Lubega

22^nd April 2024

Uganda ranks 7th in Africa for the highest number of cases related to Organized Crimes, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Jane Frances Abodo has revealed.

These crimes, committed for financial gain, encompass activities such as money laundering, drug trafficking, smuggling of migrants, human trafficking, fraud, extortion, counterfeiting, contraband, asset misappropriation, armed robbery, and more.

Addressing the audience at the three-day Annual Prosecutors Symposium 2024 in Kampala, Abodo emphasized the need to strengthen prosecution capacity to combat both organized and emerging crimes.

She highlighted the dynamic nature of crime and the importance of exploring timely questions regarding prosecution mandates and accountability mechanisms.

The symposium, themed “Strengthening Capacity for Prosecution to Counter Organized and Emerging Crimes,” provides a platform to discuss the current and future roles of the Office of the DPP.

Abodo noted Uganda’s geographical location with porous borders, which creates opportunities for organized crime to thrive, making it a haven for various types of crime, including cross-border cases.

Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions Lino Anguzu outlined challenges to prosecuting organized crimes, including porous borders, evolving technology, inadequate investigations, prosecutorial capacity, involvement of high-profile individuals, and limited domestic and international cooperation.

Sharon Nyambe, Country Head of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, highlighted internal issues within Uganda, such as child trafficking for sex work and forced begging, recruitment of youth into armed conflict in neighboring countries, and fraudulent recruitment for employment abroad.