Anti-corruption body says concerned over DPP withdrawing from corruption cases

_______________

The Anti-Corruption Coalition Uganda (ACCU) says it is concerned over the withdrawal of corruption charges against planning state minister, Amos Lugoloobi, in relation to the iron sheets case.

ACCU project manager Byiringiro Christine says the recent discontinuation of proceedings against Lugoloobi, alongside other withdrawals in cases involving former Makerere University Business School (MUBS) principal Prof. Wasswa Balunywa and former acting human resource manager Jacqueline Namaganda, raises concerns about the prosecution’s commitment to accountability.

Balunywa had been charged with abuse of office over alleged illegal recruitment, while Namaganda faced charges of neglect of duty.

Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Caroline Nabasa told Anti-Corruption Court principal magistrate grade I Christopher Opit on November 12, 2025, that the state was no longer interested in prosecuting the accused persons.

Subsequently, Nabasa presented to the court a withdrawal form, signed by Abodo, dated November 7, 2025. Opit was presiding over the court on behalf of Chief Magistrate Racheal Nakyazze, who is currently on leave.

Byiringiro said such withdrawals undermine the fight against corruption and weaken public confidence in the justice system.

“In 2023, charges of uttering false documents and conspiracy to evade taxes against businessman Hassan Basajjabalaba and his brothers were also dropped. The withdrawal of charges against Minister Lugoloobi in the Karamoja iron sheets scandal, after two years of legal proceedings further underscores what ACCU describes as a worrying pattern. In Lugoloobi’s case, several individuals were initially implicated, yet only three were prosecuted, before charges were eventually withdrawn against one of them, raising further questions about prosecutorial consistency,” Byiringiro said.

Byiringiro noted that the recurring discontinuation of high-profile corruption cases has far-reaching implications for Uganda’s justice system, especially regarding public trust. She said that when citizens see selective and unexplained case withdrawals, many begin to view the justice system as biased and influenced by status, wealth, or political connections.

“Transparency and public accountability in prosecutorial decisions are therefore critical. Although the Constitution allows the DPP to withdraw cases without providing a public explanation, a pattern of discontinuations without sufficient reasoning invites scepticism. Citizens are entitled to understand the rationale behind such decisions, especially in cases involving public resources and corruption. Providing this clarity helps reinforce the credibility of the justice system and demonstrates that prosecutorial discretion is being exercised responsibly.”

According to ACCU, Uganda’s anti-corruption framework requires not only legal authority but also moral and ethical clarity. She argued that prosecutorial discretion must be exercised in ways that build trust, ensure fairness, and uphold the deterrent effect of justice, adding that then can the fight against corruption move beyond rhetoric and deliver meaningful, equitable outcomes for all Ugandans.