The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in Uganda has revealed that 38 districts across the country do not have government prosecutors, also known as State Attorneys. This shortage has forced the transfer of some criminal case files to neighboring districts, leaving others without prosecutors to handle them. According to Director of Public Prosecutions Lino Anguzu, the staffing gap is significantly affecting the delivery of prosecution services, particularly in districts where there are no government prosecutors at all.
The districts without State Attorneys include Rwampara, Rukiga, Madi-Okollo, Buvuma, and Kalaki. Anguzu stated that the situation is concerning because some of the affected districts have no prosecutors, leaving police prosecutors to handle cases despite concerns about their capacity to manage complex criminal matters. The absence of State Attorneys means some cases have to be moved elsewhere, increasing the burden on prosecutors in neighboring districts and potentially delaying the handling of cases for people seeking justice.
Despite the staffing shortages, the DPP's office has reported improvements in its overall prosecution performance. The conviction rate for Gender-Based Violence (GBV) cases has increased from 30 percent in 2019 to 80 percent in the 2025/2026 financial year. Anguzu attributed this improvement largely to specialized training for prosecutors handling GBV cases. The DPP's office also reported an overall conviction rate of 67 percent during the financial year.
The DPP's office has also made significant progress in handling corruption cases, with conviction rates of between 80 and 90 percent. Through its anti-corruption work, the office has recovered 15 billion shillings and land valued at approximately 1.6 billion shillings. Additionally, 28,971 cases have been concluded through plea bargaining over the past five years, a measure intended to reduce the backlog of criminal cases.
The DPP's office has also expanded its use of technology to improve case management. Anguzu stated that the office is accelerating the rollout of the Prosecution Case Management Information System (PROCAMIS), alongside other data management tools. The system aims to digitize prosecution records, improve information sharing, and strengthen monitoring of cases. The long-term goal is to establish a fully digitized prosecution system, enabling prosecutors to securely access case files electronically.
The DPP's office has also invested in specialized training for prosecutors in areas such as GBV, terrorism, trafficking in persons, land-related crimes, and cybercrime. A Prosecutors' Academy is under construction in Nakasongola, and the office's Virtual Learning Academy is being used to train prosecutors. Furthermore, the office has increased its vehicle fleet to about 235 vehicles to improve the mobility of prosecutors, particularly those serving hard-to-reach areas.
Despite the progress made, Anguzu acknowledged that the DPP's office continues to face significant challenges, including a growing caseload, shortages of prosecutors, limited funding, and increasingly complex and emerging crimes. The shortage of State Attorneys remains one of the key constraints facing the prosecution service. For residents of the 38 districts without DPP representation, the immediate challenge remains accessing prosecutors without having to rely on services based in neighboring districts.
Key points
- The DPP's office lacks State Attorneys in 38 districts across Uganda.
- The conviction rate for GBV cases has increased from 30 percent in 2019 to 80 percent in the 2025/2026 financial year.
- The DPP's office has recovered 15 billion shillings and land valued at approximately 1.6 billion shillings through its anti-corruption work.
