Kampala, (UG):- Uganda’s Chief State Attorney, Mr Jonathan Muwaganya has been appointed the head of the newly created Investment Crimes Prosecution Unit in the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions-DPP.
The specialized unit, which is situated at the Head Office is charged with managing and prosecuting cases under investigation by the State House Investment Unit (SHIU), the State House Anti-Corruption Unit (SHACU) and the State House Health Monitoring Unit (SHHMU).
According to Ms Jacquelyn Okui, the Public Relations Officer of the ODDP, Muwaganya’s appointment coincides with the changes made at both the regional and resident state attorney offices with several other staff reshuffled across the country.
For example, the Masindi Regional Office has been moved to Hoima as Hoima Regional Office, to ease accessibility by stakeholders in the region. The Hoima Region comprises Hoima, Masindi, Kibaale, Kiryandongo, and Buliisa.
Furthermore, a new Resident State Attorney office has been created in Kyankwanzi to enhance access to criminal justice services by stakeholders there.
“In addition, the top Management has transferred 10 officers for efficient and effective prosecution service delivery. Notably, Mr Jonathan Muwaganya, the Chief State Attorney (CSA) has been moved from the Kampala Regional Office to head the newly created Investment Crimes Prosecution Unit,” Ms Okui said in a Tuesday press statement.
She added that Mr. Bagada Alex, the Assistant DPP has also been moved from the Soroti Regional Office to the General Case Work Department as the head of the Homicide Division.
Additionally, the ODPP also transferred 10 officers for efficient and effective prosecution service delivery, of whom include Mr Baxter Bakibinga, the Senior State Attorney who has been taken from the Complaints Office to the Mubende Regional Office as Deputy Regional Officer.
Richard Muhereza Senior State Attorney transferred from Kiboga to Arua Regional Office as Acting Regional Officer while Simon Angumale the Senior State Attorney who has been in Arua has now been promoted to be in charge of the regional office.
“Viola Tusingwire has been moved from the Mbale Resident State Attorney Office to the Investment Crimes Prosecution Unit. Bruce Twongirwe has been moved from the Kaberamaido Resident State Attorney Office to the Investment Crimes Prosecution Unit. Nam Terpista has been moved from the Makindye Resident State Attorney’s Office to the Investment Crimes Prosecution Unit. All these officers will be working with Jonathan in Kampala,” Ms Okui emphasized.
She added that Bernard Luzinda has been moved from the Katikamu Resident State Prosecutor’s Office to the Kyankwanzi Resident State Prosecutor’s Office with immediate effect.
She however clarified that other reshuffled officers will begin their new duties on April 2nd 2024.
Muwaganya’s profile
Muwaganya who is currently a Chief State Attorney in the office of the DPP holds a Master’s Degree in Sustainable International Development Law from the University of Washington, in the United States of America, a bachelor’s Degree in Law (Hons) from Makerere University, Kampala.
He also holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice (Bar Course) from the Law Development Centre, Kampala, a Post Graduate Diploma in Business Administration, Uganda Management Institute, Kampala and a Post Graduate Diploma in Social Justice, from Makerere University, Kampala.
Muwaganya started his legal career as a Public Prosecutor in 2008. He has since then handled a wide range of criminal litigations in all Courts of Judicature in Uganda.
He has worked in diverse regions of Uganda, including the Eastern region where he worked as the Iganga Regional State Attorney, Norther Uganda where he worked as the Gulu Regional State Attorney and, the Eastern region, where he worked as the Mbale Regional State Attorney.
In the Central Region, Muwaganya has served as the Buganda Road Chief Magistrates Court and Mukono Court Regional State Attorney.
Among others, Muwaganya previously worked as the Deputy Head of the Plea Bargain program at the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions Headquarters and he is currently the Deputy Regional Officer, of Kampala Region.
Before joining the ODPP, in Uganda, Muwaganya had a brief practice as a private advocate in Kampala.
As a State Attorney, Muwaganya has handled several High-Profile criminal cases including the charging of Aaron Baguma, his then District Police Commander in the case where businessman Muhammad Sebuwufu was found guilty of murdering businesswoman Betty Dona Katusabe.
He also took charge of the Prosecution of former Makerere University Lecturer Dr Stella Nyanzi for cyber harassment and offensive communication, Captain Mageni Bumali and others for the murder of the Eritrean Daniel Michael Weldu, Prosecution of the case involving the murder of Maria Nagirinya, prosecution of Businessman Frank Gashumba, Maj General Matia Kyaligonza for assaulting police officers.
Others include the prosecution of the late lawyer Bob Kasango on theft charges and businessman Francis Onebe who is accused of murder and dumping the body of his wife in a septic tank.
Muwaganya is also among the prosecutors involved in the case in which Ministers Agness Nandutu, Lugoloobi and Mary Goretti Kitutu are accused of diverting iron sheets meant for the vulnerable people of Karamoja for their benefit.
He is also currently on the prosecution team handling the murder of businessman Henry Katanga.
Under the new Investment Crimes Protection Unit, Muwaganya will be tasked with advancing the national effort in supporting investment advancement in the country and is one of the efforts by President Museveni to fight corruption.
The duties expected of his new office will specifically focus on coordinating units established by the President under the State House such as the Health Monitoring Unit, the Investor Protection unit headed by Col Edith Nakalema and the State House Anti-Corruption Unit headed by Brigadier General Isoke.
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