President Yoweri Museveni has appointed Lino Anguzu as the new Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), ending nearly a month-long vacancy at the helm of the prosecution body.

Anguzu, who has been serving as assistant DPP and deputy head of the International Crimes Department in the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), will assume the top role pending parliament’s appointments committee approval.

He replaces Jane Frances Abodo, who was recently elevated to the position of principal judge. The appointment was confirmed on Tuesday by Faruk Kirunda, the deputy press secretary to the president.

Anguzu brings a wealth of experience, having led prosecutions in several high-profile criminal and terrorism cases. These include the attempted assassination of former Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Gen Katumba Wamala, the murders of Maj Muhammad Kiggundu and Sgt Steven Mukasa, and the killing of former police spokesperson Andrew Felix Kaweesi.

He also played key roles in the 2010 Kampala bombings trial, the prosecution of ADF leader Jamil Mukulu, and the ongoing case against Nixon Agasirwe, a senior police officer accused of involvement in the 2015 assassination of state prosecutor Joan Kagezi.

If approved, Anguzu’s appointment is expected to restore full leadership to the ODPP and strengthen the ongoing pursuit of justice in the country’s most sensitive and complex criminal cases. (URN)