Kampala, Uganda.
Justice Jane Frances Abodo, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), in a moment of celebration and recognition, was presented with the prestigious ABETO Africa Peace Award. The award acknowledges her remarkable achievements during her tenure at the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) over the past three years. The ABETO Africa Peace Award is bestowed upon leaders who have significantly contributed to the transformation of their countries, promoting peace, democracy, and good governance.
ABETO (Always Be Tolerant Organization) is an organization dedicated to fostering peaceful coexistence, resolving conflicts through nonviolent means, and encouraging a culture of peace, democracy, and good governance in Uganda, Africa, and the world. The ABETO Africa Peace Award is a prestigious honor given to heads of state and government dignitaries who have demonstrated outstanding commitment to improving the quality of life and promoting unity among all citizens.
Mr. Musana Moses, Chairperson of ABETO, commended Justice Jane Frances Abodo’s exceptional leadership, stating that the ODPP, under her guidance, has achieved remarkable progress despite numerous security challenges. The Minister of Gender, Labour, and Social Development, Hon. Betty Amongi, the Chief Guest at the event, emphasized that awardees were carefully assessed, and their contributions were deemed fair, consistent, and vital to fostering harmony among the people of Uganda.
In her response, Justice Abodo expressed gratitude for the recognition and attributed the award to the dedication and hard work of the ODPP team. During her tenure, she focused on critical areas, including combating high-level crime, reducing case backlogs, improving staffing and welfare, establishing guidelines for prosecutors, and launching the groundbreaking ODPP Virtual Academy for remote training and legal resources.
Justice Abodo highlighted that the conviction rate under the ODPP had surged to over 71% in the past three years, a testament to the expeditious handling of cases through the plea bargain initiative, leading to a significant reduction in case backlogs. The office also achieved substantial milestones, securing salary enhancements for prosecutors and a tax waiver commencing this fiscal year.
The DPP extended appreciation to H.E. President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the government, development partners, and stakeholders for their unwavering support in fulfilling the ODPP’s mission. She also commended the top management and staff for their relentless efforts in striving towards a crime-free society, aligning with the institution’s vision.
The ABETO Peace Award has been previously presented to influential leaders in the region, including H.E. President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, President Nelson Mandela of South Africa, President Salva Kiir of South Sudan, Amb. Ramtane Lamamra (African Union Peace and Security Commissioner), Eng. Mahboub M. Maalim (Executive Secretary of IGAD), and other distinguished dignitaries.
