She noted that arms trafficking increased due to the growing influence of the ADF in the region when it comes to counterfeit goods which she said is a huge burden on economic growth.
Uganda ranks
7th in Africa for the highest number of cases related to Organized Crimes, the Director
of Public Prosecutions Jane Frances Abodo has revealed.
These
crimes, committed for financial gain, encompass activities such as money
laundering, drug trafficking, smuggling of migrants, human trafficking, fraud,
extortion, counterfeiting, contraband, asset misappropriation, armed robbery,
and more.
Addressing
the audience at the three-day Annual Prosecutors Symposium 2024 in Kampala,
Abodo emphasized the need to strengthen prosecution capacity to combat both
organized and emerging crimes.
She
highlighted the dynamic nature of crime and the importance of exploring timely
questions regarding prosecution mandates and accountability mechanisms.
//Cue in: "Like my
sister...
Cue out: ... this as prosecutors".//
(Luganda Interpretation by the office of the DPP
Deputy Spokesperson Irene Nakimbugwe.)
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Cue out: ...ba Prosecutazi baffe,"//
The
symposium, themed "Strengthening Capacity for Prosecution to Counter
Organized and Emerging Crimes," provides a platform to discuss the current
and future roles of the Office of the DPP.
Abodo noted
Uganda's geographical location with porous borders, which creates opportunities
for organized crime to thrive, making it a haven for various types of crime,
including cross-border cases.
Assistant
Director of Public Prosecutions Lino Anguzu outlined challenges to prosecuting
organized crimes, including porous borders, evolving technology, inadequate
investigations, prosecutorial capacity, involvement of high-profile
individuals, and limited domestic and international cooperation.
Sharon
Nyambe, Country Head of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime,
highlighted internal issues within Uganda, such as child trafficking for sex
work and forced begging, recruitment of youth into armed conflict in neighboring
countries, and fraudulent recruitment for employment abroad.
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continues to...
Cue out:... Children are immense,"//
She also
pointed out Uganda's role as a hub for arms trafficking across East, Central,
and West Africa, and the challenges posed by counterfeit goods and
environmental crimes.
"The porous borders
and limited capacity to monitor smuggling further exacerbates the problem in
addition, the lack of intellectual property rights legislation feeds a vast
black market for smuggled and counterfeit goods,” said Nyambe.
She said that when they
look at crimes against the environment, Uganda remains the key source of timber
and charcoal destined for Kenya. "It is important to highlight that
illegal timber or timber trade results in loss of forest cover and undermined
tax collection while wildlife traffickers, on the other hand, are known to
conceal contraband destined for other countries and markets," she added.
Nyambe emphasized
the importance of developing a national strategy against organized crime,
including threat analysis, policy development, and capacity-building
initiatives.
This strategy aims to enhance coordination among law enforcement
agencies, government departments, and other stakeholders, facilitating
information sharing, resource pooling, and effective implementation of
countermeasures against organized crime.
