KAMPALA - The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) in partnership with the Justice, Law and Order Sector (JLOS) held the 2^nd JLOS Annual Anti-Corruption Forum on 28^th October 2020, as part of the Government annual anti-corruption campaign. The Forum was held under the theme “Technological Readiness for Effective Accountability in Pursuit of a National Middle-Income Status: A Critical Reflection on JLOS Anti-Corruption Legal Enforcement’. The focus was the operability and effectiveness of the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, and the Anti-Corruption Court Division of the High Court, in light of the use of technology.

The Forum was convened and presided over by Hon. Justice Jane Frances Abodo, the Director of Public Prosecutions who emphasised the importance of embracing technological capabilities to meet the contemporary crime challenges and manifestations, especially for white-collar crime. The Forum demonstrated how technological advancements have increased the sophistication of crime, now invisible to traditional crime management systems. Economic crime in particular, has a direct negative correlation with development and if left unchecked, can pave way for State capture. It can undermine and further delay Uganda’s development efforts and aspiration for a middle-income economic status.

Development Partners, including the United Nations Development Programme and the Austria Development Agency in Uganda emphasised the corrosive effect of corruption on Uganda’s economic growth and welfare of citizens. The poor and marginalised persons are prone to suffer a disproportionately higher burden of corruption when for instance seeking justice services or medical care. The Partners echoed their commitment to support Uganda’s development agenda, more so in the modernisation of the justice, law and order institutions, and building technological capabilities to effectively combat corruption. 

The Forum resolved to enhance institutional strengthening and integration, reforming and completing pipeline anti-corruption legislation, and embrace the required technologies. Embracing integrated modern hardware and software technologies, applying big data and machine learning to facilitate processes among the criminal justice chain-linked institutions, should be integrated with credible system security against hackers and internal breaches. The technological reforms should be matched with specialised human resource skilling and development of expert anti-corruption investigators, prosecutors and adjudicators. Matters of legality and admissibility of evidence sourced from local and international jurisdictions using mutual legal assistance procedures are equally very important. Therefore, investment in research and innovation in different spheres of technological development and application is key to ensure a holistic transformation. This is the reality of the fourth industrial revolution.

From a governance point of view, while modern technology minimises opportunistic corruption and enhances institutional efficiency, the transformation should be matched with sufficient sensitisation of duty bearers and the public to ensure informed and effective utilisation of the proposed developments. Stakeholder inclusion is central to ensure no one is left behind under this transformation in terms of access and operability for both duty bearers and the public. As a matter of caution, data protection, systems security, management and regard for human rights must be observed. Data privacy, confidentiality and protection are critical considerations that must be part of a technological revolution. The transformation must comply with modernisation and legality to maintain legitimacy and the rule of law of Uganda’s anti-corruption enforcement.

In attendance was Hon. Lady Justice Jane Okuo – Judge of the Anti-Corruption Court; AIGP Grace Akullo - the Director of Criminal Investigations in the Uganda Police Force; Mrs. Alice K. Khaukha – the Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions; and Dr. Syliva Namubiru - the Chief Executive Officer of the Legal Aid Service Providers Network (LASPNET) that explored current trends and gaps that need urgent redress. Dr. Anga R. Timilsina (Ph.D.), the Global Programme Advisor on Anti-corruption at United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) provided a global perspective to embracing technology in anti-corruption law enforcement. The Forum was coordinated by the JLOS Secretariat, represented by the Senior Technical Advisor, Ms. Rachel Odoi-Musoke and attended by over 150 stakeholders from various government departments, civil society, the academia, development partners, and the general public.

 By Mudoi Musa

Published: October 29, 2020

JLOS institutions will tomorrow 4th December 2019 join H.E the President in the Anti-corruption walk.  The Chief Justice and Chairperson of the JLOS Leadership Committee Justice Bart Katureebe is expected to lead the Sector during the march to Kololo grounds where the main ceremony will be held.

Download the day's program below.

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Published: December 3, 2019

His Excellency the President will on Wednesday 4th December lead the country in a walk to highlight the gains made so far in the fight against corruption and announce the government’s plans to stem the vice going forward

The walk starting 8am, which will be held under the theme “A CORRUPTION-FREE UGANDA; IT STARTS WITH ME”, will see the President walk from Constitutional Square in the city centre to Kololo Independence Grounds—a distance of about four kilometres. Other government, religious, traditional and civil society leaders are expected to join the President in the walk. The Anti-Corruption walk will be part of Uganda’s participation in the Global recognition of the Anticorruption week, whose theme is “Promoting Accountability for National Development.”

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Published: November 26, 2019

KAMPALA - The Chief Justice, Bart M. Katureebe, has set up a six-member Taskforce, headed by the Inspector of Courts, Ms. Immaculate Busingye, to investigate allegations of corruption in the Judiciary. According to the Office Instruction No. 4 of 2019 dated July 30, 2019, the Taskforce was tasked to commence business with immediate effect – and would report back to the Chief Justice within 60 days. “Interface with the investigations team of Vision Group to understand the scope and purpose of their ongoing project on exposing corruption in the Judiciary,” reads one of the four terms of reference to the Committee. The Corruption Taskforce will then receive the media recordings with a view of identifying the implicated Judiciary staff, who would then be invited to have an interface with the Team. The Taskforce on Corruption would thereafter make a report to the Chief Justice with recommendations on the way forward by the 30th September 2019.

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Published: August 7 2019

KAMPALA - With just two judges, a single division of the High Court collected about Shs20 billion in form of non-tax revenue for the country in one year, the Principal Judge has revealed.

Hon. Justice Dr. Yorokamu Bamwine made the revelation while officiating at the opening of a Taxation Training for Judges and members of the Tax Appeals Tribunal on February 21 at the Lake Victoria Serena Hotel in Kigo. He said the Anti-Corruption Court raised revenues of Shs 885,320,228 in 2018 through fines, and Shs 19,043,989,691 through asset recovery orders.

"In terms of revenue collection through Judiciary, this is unprecedented," said Hon. Justice Dr Bamwine, adding, "The Judiciary can be a strategic mobilize of resources.Imagine if you (the government) gave us three more Judges in the Anti-Corruption Court alone? Just give us more judges and improve their welfare and then wait for the results."

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Published: March 1, 2019

Ms. Shifa Katutu - National Community Service

Mr. Joseph Migisha - NGO Board

Ms. Marion Namande Namiyingo - Amnesty Commission

Ms. Jane Okuo - Directorate of Public Prosecutions

Mr. Charles Kaamuli - Directorate of Public Prosecutions

Mr. J.W. Kururagyire - Uganda Prisons Service

Mr. Hillary Bisanga - Head of Policy and Planning Unit

Mr. Samuel Kaali - Judicial Service Commission

Ms. Farida Semyano - Judicial Service Commission (Alternate)

Mr. Masiga Samson - Ministry of Gender

Mr. Magara Cornelius - Ministry of Gender

Ms. Roselyn Karugonjo Segawa - Uganda Human Rights Commission

Ms. Norah Nyeko - Uganda Human Rights Commission

Ms. Proscovia Nakawungu - Law Development Centre

Mr. Nicholas Opiyo - ULS, AA Legal Consultants Advocates

The Justice Law and Order Sector(JLOS) held a public dialogue on Anti-Corruption on 4^th December 2014 at the Imperial Royale Hotel Kampala to discuss key issues on the fight against corruption in Uganda but with specific focus to JLOS. The public dialogue was organized in conjunction with partners for the accountability sector as part of the buildup events towards the commemoration of the International Anti-Corruption Day 2014.

The Dialogue was presided by Mr. Charles Elem Ogwal, the Chairperson of the JLOS Technical Committee. The theme of the dialogue was “Building synergies in the fight against corruption to improve the administration of Justice and the rule of law in Uganda”. The theme underpinned two critical results of the fight against corruption;

a) The need to build partnerships (public and Private) to fight corruption in Justice Service delivery. 

b) The realization of improved administration of Justice and the rule of law.

The objective of the dialogue was to discuss and reflect on the challenge of corruption that has bedeviled many public Institutions. Recent Anti-Corruption Surveys revealed that JLOS Sector Institutions appeared among the top most corrupt institutions in Uganda.

The participants of the public dialogue included; members of the Human Rights and Accountability Group, Human Resource Managers Forum, JLOS PPUs, Participants from the IGG, Registrar’s from the High Court Divisions, Participants from the private sector, Participants from the Office of the Auditor General, Development Partners, Chairpersons of Working Groups and members of the JLOS Secretariat.

By Modoi Musa | Published: December 5, 2014

The Justice Law and Sector held a high level breakfast meeting on the 4^th December 2014 at Hotel Africana to discuss key issues in the fight against corruption in Uganda, but with specific focus to the Justice Law and Order Sector(JLOS). The meeting was organized in conjunction with partners from the Accountability Sector as part of the buildup events towards the commemoration of the International Anti-Corruption Day 2014.

The theme of the meeting was; Fghting corruption in JLOS: A collective effort to promote integrity and enhance access to JLOS services for all. The theme underpins two critical results of the fight against corruption; 1) the need to ensure integrity in service delivery, and 2) the realization of increased access to JLOS services for all especially the marginalized people. These are in tandem with the JLOS Sector Investment Plan III (JLOS SIP III) undertakings of promoting human rights and accountability in Uganda.   

The meeting was convened for selected heads of institutions and some technical staff who have a key responsibility to fight corruption in their institutions and the country at large. The participants included; Hon. Justices of Courts of Judicature, heads of Government institutions, heads of Civil Society Organizations and members of the JLOS Secretariat.

By Musa Modoi | Published: December 5, 2014

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Report of the JLOS Anti-Corruption High level Breakfast Meeting (2014)

Mindful of Uganda’s poor performance in regional anti-corruption ranking and the negative impact of corruption on development;

Aware of the poor ranking and public perception of the Justice Law and Order Sector institutions on fighting corruption;

Recognising that we need local solutions to address local problems especially in the fight against corruption;

Building on existing comprehensive policy, legal and institutional anti-corruption framework; and

Counting on the determination of the Government and people of Uganda to fight corruption and promote people centred development.

Therefore, the Ministries, Departments, and Agencies, and their staff constituting the Justice Law and Order Sector (JLOS) commit to ensuring zero tolerance to corruption.

As JLOS, we undertake to uphold the rule of law, and implement the national and sector anti-corruption programmes, pledging to:

1. Enhance the sector capacity to prevent corruption. 

2. Strengthen sector mechanisms to detect, investigate, and adjudicate cases of corruption. 

3. Promote and enforce effective mechanisms to punish all those found culpable

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The JLOS Anti-Corruption Charter (pdf)

The Justice, Law and Order Sector (JLOS) has in place measures to eliminate abuse of office, acts of impunity and ensuring accountability and the rule of law. The JLOS chain-linked justice system is premised on the theory of the 3Cs; Cooperation, Communication and Coordination of initiatives. The chain-linked initiative involves shared roles in prevention, detection, investigation and reprimand of cases of corruption. 

All seventeen (17) JLOS member institutions fight syndicate corruption through institutionalising and implementing the Third JLOS Strategic Investment Plan (JLOS SIP III), the JLOS Anti-Corruption Strategy (JACS) and the National Anti-Corruption Strategies (NACS). 

The JACS is guided by a vision of “A corruption free Society based on rule of law and respect for human rights”, and a three core pillars that form the foundation and inform its strategic objectives. These include;

1. PREVENTION; To enhance the Sector capacity to prevent corruption,
2. DETECTION; To strengthen the Sector to detect, investigate, and adjudicate cases of corruption
3. PUNISHMENT; To promote and enforce effective mechanisms for punishment of those found culpable and reparations for acts of corruption.

A number of administrative mechanisms are in place to promote accountability and fight corruption. These include the JLOS Inspectors Forum, the JLOS Integrity Committee, the JLOS Audit Committee, the Human Rights and Accountability Working Group, Professional Standards Unit (PSU) of Police, institutional staff disciplinary units, a series of toll free call lines and standardised complaints handling frameworks, among others. The public is invited to use toll free call lines and complaint boxes for all respective JLOS institutions and the Inspectorate of Government to report acts of corruption and abuse of office. For instance, the Judiciary has put up three SMS hotlines for the public to report acts of corruption and unprofessional conduct of staff; 0776 709100, 0703 707085  and 0794 702085. (See www.jlos.go.ug for more contacts), and the IG’s hotline is 0414 347 387.

Implementation of process and service delivery reforms, such as automation of business processes, have minimised opportunities for syndicate corruption at many service points such as the Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB). In addition, innovative justice initiatives aimed at simplification of processes and expedition of the adjudication of court cases. These have reduced opportunity for corruption. Innovations such as the Small Claims Procedure, Plea Bargain Initiative, Roll out of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms, Legal Aid Service Provision, among others make justice a more transparent process. Users of court are able directly seek and handle their claims without relying in intercessors.

In 2014, the PSU received 1,958 complaints of professional misconduct of Police Officers. Minor cases are referred to RPCs, criminal cases are channeled to the DPP and CID, while cases requiring administrative disciplinary action are forwarded to the Directorate of Human Rights and Legal Advisory Services. The Police Disciplinary Unit awarded fines against 200 Traffic Police Officers, 37 officers were recommended for discharge/dismissal, 100 were acquitted, 142 sentenced to severe reprimand and 291 cases are still pending at the Unit as at June 2015.

In the previous year, the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) registered 137 complaints against judicial officers and concluded 106 case files. Out of18 disciplinary committee sessions held, 2 Magistrates were dismissed, 2 Magistrates severely reprimanded, 3 Magistrates were reprimanded and 1 Magistrate was warned. The other 98 cases did not demonstrate sufficient merit to warrant disciplinary action. The 174 cases are still pending before the JSC Disciplinary Committee. Similarly, the Judiciary’s Inspectorate of Courts received 676 complaints from the public against judicial officers and conclude 673. Most of the complaints were resolved administratively and 3 are still pending for further consideration.

The JLOS criminal justice system has progressively demonstrated impressive results. The Police/CID handled 458 corruption cases in 2014 compared to 413 and 214 in the previous two years respectively.

FIIVE TOP CORRUPTION OFFENCES HANDLED BY UGANDA POLICE FORCE/CID

The DPP established the Anti-Corruption Department as a specialized body to handle prosecutions of corruption cases. In all corruption investigations, efforts to recover assets and proceeds of corruption are emphasized. Through Prosecution led investigations, and in collaboration with the CID, the Government Analytical Laboratory experts and the OAG, the average conviction rate for this calendar year, January 2015 to October 2015 is 62.5%. So far, 17 cases have been settled through Plea Bargaining Program for Corruption cases. A total of UGX674,652,552 and USD$102,000 has so far been recovered through Plea bargaining. 

In the same breadth, the Judiciary established a specialized anti-corruption court which has since its inception in August 2008 posted exemplary performance. As of 30^th November 2015, the Anti-Corruption Court Division of the High Court (ACD) had registered 2,371 cases and completed 2080. It has recovered billions of shillings in over 100 cases where orders to refund proceeds of corruption have been made. Some of the major cases include the following;

CASES WHERE REFUND ORDERS WERE MADE BY ACD

The disposal of cases by the Anti-Corruption Court Division of the High Court (ACD) during the FY2014/15 exceeded cases filed at a rate of 124% (309 of 249). This performance revealed an increase by 47.3% (127) from the previous financial year when it registered a completion rate of 76.7% (182). As at 30th June 2015, there were 286 cases pending in the court, and 28 (9.7%) of these cases are against JLOS officers. 

An elaborate legislative legal regime on Anti-Corruption laws and regulations is in place. This includes; the Anti-Corruption Act, the Penal Code Act, the Whistle Blowers Act, the Leadership Code Act, among others. Further legislative reforms and enactments are in pipeline aimed at complimenting and strengthening the existing legal regime. These include; the Witness Protection Law, the Asset Recovery and Mutual Assistance Law, Proceeds of Crime Law, Amendment to the Anti-Corruption Act, and Amendment to the Leadership Code Act, among others. 

There are various fora of interaction between JLOS service providers and users of JLOS services to build synergies against impediments such as syndicate corruption. There are place District Chain Linked Committees (DCCs) in all Districts, Regional Chain Linked Committees in all High Court Circuits and also institutional User Committees such as Court Users Committees in most JLOS institutions. The Justice, Law and Order Sector, appeals to the public to join the fight against corruption and report all acts of corruption.

The Justice, Law and Order Sector, therefore, appeals to the public join in the fight against corruption and report all incidents of corruption. This way, we shall promote accountability as a cornerstone for access to justice, the promotion of the rule of law and security of person and property.

Media inquiries on this subject can be sent to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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 Anti-Corruption Week (2015): JLOS Media Supplement (pdf)