Uganda Creates Unit to Prosecute Investment Crimes

Kampala, Uganda — The office of the Director of Public Prosecutions has established a specialized unit to handle the prosecution of investment-related crimes.

The Chief State Attorney, Jonathan Muwaganya, was appointed to head the new body, according to The Independent UG. The unit will focus on cases investigated by the State House Investment Unit and the State House Anti-Corruption Unit.

The creation of the specialized team reflects an effort to strengthen legal action against offences that undermine investor confidence and public resources in Uganda. Investment crimes can include fraud, embezzlement and other financial violations that affect both local and foreign capital flows.

Uganda’s State House has maintained dedicated units to investigate corruption and investment matters for several years. By assigning a dedicated prosecution team, authorities aim to improve coordination between investigators and prosecutors.

The Director of Public Prosecutions oversees all criminal prosecutions in the country. The new unit forms part of that office and is expected to handle complex cases that require specialized knowledge of financial and corporate law.

No further details were released about the precise structure of the unit or the volume of cases it is expected to manage. The announcement comes as Uganda continues to promote itself as an investment destination in East Africa while seeking to address concerns about graft.

The development was reported in March 2024. Since then, the unit has presumably begun operations under the leadership of the newly appointed head.

Based on reporting by The Independent UG.