The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) has issued a stern warning against the circulation of a fraudulent letter purportedly authored by their office.
Dated February 7, 2019, the letter falsely addresses a non-existent case titled “Uganda vs Komakech Christopher, Criminal Case No. 0011 of 2018 (Aggravated Defilement of a Minor, Nakimuli Night).” The ODPP has categorically denied the authenticity of the letter and its contents, emphasizing that the letterhead used is fake and the named author, Kato Leonard, has no association with the office.
The communication department, led by Jacquelyn Okui on Friday, has released an official statement to clarify the matter and assure the public of the letter’s inauthenticity. “We wish to empathetically and categorically state that this letter is entirely fake, and all its contents are false,” Okui declared.
The statement emphasized several critical points: Forgery of Letterhead and Author: She stressed that the letterhead used in the document does not belong to the ODPP. Moreover, the supposed author, Kato Leonard, is neither an employee of the ODPP nor has he ever served as a Resident State Attorney at Wakiso.
Non-Existent Case: According to Okui, after thorough verification, the ODPP confirmed that there is no case registered under the title “Uganda vs Komakech Christopher, Criminal Case No. 0011 of 2018.”
Autonomy of the DPP: Under Article 120 (6) of the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda, the Director of Public Prosecutions operates with full autonomy and independence. The DPP’s decisions are solely based on the merits of each case, guided by evidence and legal principles, and free from any external influences or directives.
“Such fraudulent activities undermine the integrity and impartiality of our justice system,” Okui stressed. “The DPP is entrusted with the power to make prosecutorial decisions without any external pressures or interests.”
In line with Article 120 (3) (a) of the Constitution, which mandates the DPP to direct police investigations of any criminal information, the ODPP will ensure a thorough investigation into this matter. “We will take the necessary steps to have this matter investigated and ensure that the perpetrators of this criminal activity are brought to justice,” Okui affirmed.
The ODPP urges the public to disregard the fraudulent letter and its contents. “We maintain confidence in the fairness and effectiveness of the criminal justice system of Uganda,” Okui concluded. “We appreciate the public’s continued trust and support.”
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