The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Jane Frances Abodo, faced scrutiny from Parliament’s Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee over accusations of bias in handling cases related to homosexuality. Abodo appeared before the committee to defend the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP)’s budget estimates for the fiscal year 2024/25.
During the interface, Bugiri Municipality MP Asuman Basalirwa, who played a key role in passing the Anti-Homosexuality law last year, questioned the DPP about the alleged over-centralization of the sanctioning of files related to homosexuality. Reports in the media suggested that all such cases must be sanctioned personally by Abodo.
Basalirwa inquired about the special treatment of these cases and sought the legal justification for such actions. In response, Abodo defended her actions, stating that handling cases of public interest at the head office was a common practice. She added that human rights abuse cases were also handled at the office due to the human interest involved.
“This is not the first time I’m doing it. Cases of public interest are handled at the head office. Human rights abuse cases are also handled at office (sic) because of the human interest,” Abodo explained.
The DPP announced plans to educate state attorneys and police officers across the country on key legal aspects of the new law. She noted that some individuals were being charged under the new law for offenses allegedly committed before its enactment.
During the same meeting, Abodo dismissed allegations that her directorate is influenced by foreign countries opposed to the law. She mentioned that her office had sanctioned ten files related to homosexuality offenses since the law took effect in May 2023.
Additionally, the DPP explained why she had not prosecuted certain ministers who confessed to sharing iron sheets in the Karamoja region. Abodo stated that she failed to trace the element of criminality in those specific cases.
