By KT Reporter
Pader district leaders have raised serious concerns about rampant corruption within the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). During a meeting held on March 18, 2025, local officials accused the office of absenteeism and mishandling cases, with allegations of corruption at an all-time high.
Leaders are now calling for accountability, as locals express frustration with the failure of the judicial system. George Oyat, the Pukor Sub-County Councilor V, acknowledged the improvements in the judicial system, particularly among the magistrates and judges.
However, he pointed fingers at the DPP’s office, claiming it has become a hotspot for corruption, where many locals feel unsafe when seeking its services. Oyat further emphasized that while many people focus on corrupt courts, the DPP office should also be under scrutiny for the vice, citing cases where the Resident State Attorney (RSA) was absent for weeks, yet courts had to proceed.
Charles Okwir Raymond, the Pader District Secretary for Works and Technical Services, supported Oyat’s claims, saying that corruption exists at all levels, including the police, DPP, and courts.
He revealed to the Uganda Radio Network that many locals have lost faith in the judicial system, feeling like they aren’t Ugandans due to how cases are handled.
Okwir noted that absenteeism in the DPP office is a concern, though he offered the benefit of the doubt to the newly appointed state attorney.
Sarah Bivanju, the newly transferred Resident State Attorney for Pader District, refrained from commenting directly on the corruption claims, stating that she was not in Pader when the issues occurred.
She explained that, due to her overwhelming caseload and limited staff numbers, she’s struggling to balance all her responsibilities, including case reviews, prosecutions, and appearances before the judge in Kitgum.
Ivan Nduggwa, a legal officer with the Judicial Service Commission (JSC), noted the current shortfall in manpower in the DPP’s office but encouraged residents to report any corruption or misconduct within the office.
He further assured the public that complaints would be forwarded to the DPP headquarters or relevant regional offices for investigation and action, emphasizing that improving access to justice for locals is a priority-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
