The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) has made history with the appointment of Ms. Agnes Kainza Nzogi as its first-ever Permanent Secretary (PS).
This historic appointment, made by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, follows a formal request from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Lady Justice Jane Frances Abodo, to establish the role in a bid to address administrative gaps within the institution.
Nzogi’s appointment was confirmed in a statement from the ODPP, referencing Article 174 (2) of the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda (1995) and the advice of the Public Service Commission. The Head of Public Service and Secretary to Cabinet, Ms. Lucy Nakyobe, officially deployed her to this new position.
In response to the appointment, the DPP, Lady Justice Abodo, highlighted the critical importance of the role, emphasizing that it would play a key part in enhancing institutional efficiency.
“The ODPP is a large and growing institution, and its expansion calls for strong administrative leadership. With a Permanent Secretary in place, our technical staff will be able to concentrate on prosecutorial duties, while managerial and policy-related functions are effectively handled,” she said.
Agnes Kainza Nzogi, the newly appointed PS, brings a wealth of experience in public administration. Since joining the Public Service in 2004, she has held various positions, including roles at the Ministry of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development, and as Under Secretary at the ODPP since 2020. Her academic qualifications include a Master of Public Administration from the University of Birmingham and a Master of Arts in Development Studies from the Institute of Social Studies in The Hague.
In her remarks following the appointment, Nzogi expressed her commitment to strengthening the operations of the ODPP.
“I am honored to take on this role and will work tirelessly to ensure that the ODPP operates with the highest levels of efficiency and accountability. Our work is crucial in upholding justice and maintaining the rule of law,” she stated.
The ODPP also expressed its gratitude to President Museveni for his unwavering support of the office. Nzogi’s appointment is expected to enhance inter-ministerial collaboration, improve institutional planning, and streamline administrative processes within the ODPP, ultimately reinforcing Uganda’s prosecutorial framewor
