Uncertainty looms over DPP office as Abodo heads to Judiciary as Principal Judge

Kampala, Uganda: Uganda could soon face a critical leadership vacuum at the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) following the elevation of Justice Jane Frances Abodo to the position of Principal Judge; a move that, while well-deserved, leaves the country’s chief prosecutorial seat on the verge of falling vacant.

Justice Abodo, who has served as DPP since April 2020, was recently vetted and approved by Parliament, only awaiting swearing-in to the Judiciary’s third-highest office. Her transition now raises urgent questions about succession planning, institutional continuity, and the political will to sustain the DPP office roles.

Under Article 120 of the Constitution, the DPP is mandated to direct criminal prosecutions, sanction cases, and ensure justice through the control of criminal proceedings. It is one of the most powerful offices in Uganda’s justice chain; bridging the investigative work of the Inspectorate of Government (IGG), the Police, and the courts.

Without a substantive DPP, that prosecutorial command chain risks grinding to a halt. It would mean that sensitive cases, particularly those involving high-level crime, grand corruption, abuse of office, or misuse of public funds, could face delays, reversals, or procedural challenges.

Already, several high-profile corruption investigations are at various stages of sanctioning by the DPP. The absence of a confirmed head could expose those processes to technical lapses, bureaucratic stagnation, and manipulation. The timing of Justice Abodo’s departure, therefore, could not be more delicate.

Observers within the legal and accountability sector warn that the office’s continuity is paramount to the credibility of Uganda’s justice system. In the absence of a substantive DPP, the Deputy DPP may act in a caretaker capacity, but that arrangement is temporary and limited in scope, particularly for sanctioning new prosecutions or politically sensitive cases that require full legal authority.

The Presidency, which holds the appointing powers under the Constitution, must therefore treat this matter as urgent. Every day that passes without a new DPP risks undermining not only ongoing prosecutions but also public confidence in Uganda’s anti-corruption machinery.

While Justice Abodo’s elevation to Principal Judge is a testament to her integrity and distinguished service, the transition exposes a deeper institutional gap: the absence of clear succession mechanisms for independent offices that sit at the heart of governance. Uganda cannot afford to treat such vacancies casually, especially at a time when corruption remains one of the most crippling threats to national development.

What happens when the DPP’s office falls vacant?

The Constitution provides that the President shall appoint the DPP with the approval of Parliament. However, it does not explicitly specify how long the office can remain vacant or how long an acting DPP can serve without formal confirmation.

In practice, an acting DPP can oversee day-to-day operations, but their authority is often constrained, especially in high-profile prosecutions that may attract political or constitutional scrutiny. This ambiguity has, in the past, resulted in delays in sanctioning cases and weakened coordination among investigative agencies.

Currently, there are multiple Deputy Directors of Public Prosecutions (DPPs), including George William Byansi (Inspections, Quality Assurance, Research and Training), John Baptist Asiimwe (Management Support Services), and Odumbi James Owere (Prosecution/International Affairs).

If Justice Abodo is sworn in before her successor is appointed, the DPP’s office will automatically fall under temporary stewardship. Given the sensitive timing, with ongoing prosecutions linked to the IGG, the Anti-Corruption Court, and Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee, the government’s delay in filling the post could have ripple effects across the entire justice system.

In the fight against corruption, timing and leadership matter. Every gap at the top creates space for impunity to flourish. Uganda cannot afford that vacuum now.