The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Lino Anguzu, has outlined a sweeping vision for Uganda’s prosecutorial system, emphasising professionalism, public trust, and responsiveness as the cornerstones of his reform agenda.
Speaking during an exclusive interview with NBS Television on Sunday, Anguzu reflected on his rise to the top prosecutorial office.
“I could not imagine even in my wildest dream that I could be the DPP, even though I had been around for years,” he said.
The DPP, who was appointed by President Museveni in October 2025, succeeds Lady Justice Jane Frances Abodo, who was appointed Principal Judge.
Anguzu brings nearly two decades of experience within Uganda’s legal system, having served as Assistant DPP since 2019 and previously as Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions and Deputy Head of the International Crimes Department.
“My overarching vision for this office is a professional prosecution service anchored on three principles: professionalism, public trust, and responsiveness,” he said.
Anguzu added that one of his top priorities is to digitise the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP).
“My focus is to transform the institution into a digitally driven prosecution service. We have made a few attempts, and I think that is where the future is,” he said.
DPP Anguzu also highlighted the urgent need to address staff shortages within the ODPP.
“I want to increase the number of staff we have. We are grossly understaffed; I’m halfway doing that,” he said.
Anguzu further revealed his goal to recruit at least 100 new state attorneys before December, citing this as a critical bottleneck affecting service delivery.
On maintaining integrity in prosecution, Anguzu stressed rigorous internal review processes.
“By the time the ODPP makes the decision to say the case is no longer viable and decides to terminate the prosecution, that matter will have gone through a minimum of three reviews,” he said.
A career public servant, Anguzu’s professional journey began in 2003 as a legal officer with FIDA-Uganda, an organisation promoting women’s rights and access to justice. He later served as District Lands Officer at Hoima District Local Government before joining the Directorate of Public Prosecutions in 2005 as a State Attorney. He steadily rose through the ranks to Senior State Attorney in 2011, Principal State Attorney in 2014, and Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions in 2018.
He holds a Bachelor of Laws degree from Makerere University (2002), a Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice from the Law Development Centre (2003), and a Master of Laws from the University of Dar es Salaam. He is currently pursuing a postgraduate diploma in project planning and management at the Uganda Management Institute.
