Members of Parliament (MPs) on the Public Accountability Committee have called on the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to provide evidence of all case files transferred from the General Court Martial to civilian courts. This follows a Supreme Court ruling that declared the trial of civilians by the General Court Martial null and void.
The demand was made during a session where the acting DPP and their team appeared before the committee to respond to queries raised in the Auditor General's report for the financial year 2023/2024. Committee Chairperson and Butambala County MP, Muhammad Muwanga Kivumbi, alongside other MPs, emphasized the need for transparency and accountability in the handling of these files.
The MPs tasked the DPP’s office to provide detailed evidence by the close of business today, showing how the files were transferred from the General Court Martial to civilian courts. They also raised concerns over the independence of the DPP’s office, urging it to focus solely on cases forwarded by the police, as per its mandate. The legislators questioned why the DPP was handling criminal files originating from the court martial instead of civilian authorities.
In response, Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions George William Byansi acknowledged receipt of some files and assured the committee that they are currently under scrutiny and perusal. He stated that the files are being reviewed for guidance and allocation to the appropriate civilian courts. Byansi further committed to providing the details of these files before the close of business, as directed by the committee.
The MPs’ inquiry underscores the importance of adhering to legal procedures and ensuring that the DPP operates within its mandate. The committee’s intervention aims to uphold the rule of law and ensure that civilians are tried in the appropriate judicial forums, as mandated by the Supreme Court ruling.
The session highlighted the ongoing efforts to strengthen accountability and transparency within Uganda’s judicial system, particularly in handling cases involving civilians. The committee expects the DPP’s office to provide a comprehensive report to address the concerns raised and ensure compliance with the Supreme Court’s directive.
