Jane Francis Abodo, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), has urged Inspector General of Police Martins Okoth Ochola to establish clear guidelines for issuing police bonds, citing the need for consistency and fairness nationwide.
Abodo emphasized the necessity for such guidelines, particularly in cases like terrorism, where sensitivity may preclude the granting of police bonds, yet adherence to fundamental rights remains paramount.
“We must convene to establish comprehensive guidelines for police bonds, specifying eligible offenses, procedures for collecting and processing evidence, and other pertinent considerations,” remarked Abodo during her address at the 2023 Annual Crime Report launch held at Police headquarters in Kampala on Wednesday.
Abodo also highlighted the importance of equipping law enforcement personnel with updated skills, especially in light of the increasing technological dimensions of modern crimes.
Addressing the high rate of case dismissals, the DPP advocated for enhanced witness summoning processes and proposed bolstering manpower to expedite legal proceedings.
In 2023, a total of 84,907 cases were brought before the courts, with 48,632 not proceeding to trial, while 94,535 cases remained under investigation.
Of the cases prosecuted, 27,125 resulted in convictions, 843 in acquittals, 46,843 are pending, and 10,096 were dismissed.
Senior Technical Advisor JILOS Rachael Odoi commended the decline in economic crimes but stressed the ongoing need for collaborative efforts with law enforcement agencies to address remaining challenges effectively.
“Economic crime has become more problematic because of its technicalities and syndicated nature, though we commend what has been done so far, it’s an area where we need to do a lot,” she explained.
Regarding the rise in theft, domestic violence, and sex-related offenses, Odoi emphasized the societal impact of these crimes, emphasizing the importance of targeted interventions to safeguard families and communities.
IGP Ochola expressed gratitude for public cooperation in reporting crimes and underscored the urgency of addressing key operational challenges, including personnel welfare, specialized training, and recruitment drives to optimize police effectiveness.
Ochola acknowledged persistent challenges, including those posed by groups like ADF, while lauding collaborative efforts in resolving cases, particularly in areas such as domestic violence and land disputes.
According to the 2023 Annual Crime Report, reported cases totaled 228,074, reflecting a 1.5% decrease from 2022. Notable offenses included theft, assault, domestic violence, sex-related crimes, break-ins, child-related offenses, and economic and corruption-related offenses.