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Uganda`s Prosecutors Lead on Fighting Environmental Crime
Kampala (Uganda), 25 April, 2022 – “Uganda’s prosecutors are on the frontline in defending their country’s national security as they litigate wildlife justice,” UNODC’s Eastern Africa Regional Representative Neil Walsh noted in a national symposium in Kampala.
Mr. Walsh expressed that prosecutors are global leaders in countering environmental crime while he paid tribute to Uganda’s progress at the first major gathering of prosecutors for 10 years, under the leadership of the new Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Hon. Justice Jane Frances Abodo.
UNODC supported the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions in organising the symposium held on 25-28th April, 2022 under the theme: Human and Wildlife Security. The discussions during the 4-day meeting focused on current crime trends in Uganda and the best responses to these. It also served as a platform to enhance coordination among stakeholders in the country’s governance and security programme.
Following a presentation on charging standards by Ms. Shamini Jayanathan UNODC’s Global Prosecution Advisor on wildlife and
forest crimes, the DPP Ms. Abodo requested her to further develop a national prosecution policy on charging standards.
UNODC has enhanced its work in Uganda since 2015, when it’s rule of law programme was endorsed. In 2020, UNODC’s Regional Office for Eastern Africa established a presence in Kampala under the head of office Ms. Sharon Lesa Nyambe, who also attended the symposium.
Mr. Walsh reminded prosecutors of the UNODC’s mission “to provide more safety to Africa’s people, government and institutions from drugs, crime, corruption, terrorism and illicit financial flow. “Our Vision 2030 seeks to strengthen crime prevention, enhance justice, address organized crime, ensure a balanced response to drugs, improve the rule of law and bolster resilience,” he underscored.
UNODC is supporting the ODPP to spearhead development of the Guidelines on Investigations and Prosecutions of the Wildlife Crimes in Uganda, which is a useful tool to build the capacity of prosecutors and investigators tackling wildlife and forest crimes. The Guidelines represent a one stop for prosecutors, judicial officers, and law enforcement officers.
The efforts to improve prosecutors’ capacity to combat wildlife and forest crimes have been made possible by the generous funding of the State Department of the United States of America, United Kingdom and the European Union. Uganda has gained global recognition as a champion against wildlife crimes, with improvement on rates of conviction, fair trials, stronger sentencing and a prosecution service that effectively delivers justice to the people.
For more information please contact:
Programme to Combat Crimes that affect the Environment and Climate
UNODC Regional Office for Eastern Africa