Who is Mr. Lino Anguzu, the Newly Appointed Director of Public Prosecutions? President Museveni appoints seasoned prosecutor Lino Anguzu as Uganda’s new Director of Public Prosecutions, succeeding Justice Jane Frances Abodo, who was named Principal Judge.

President Yoweri Museveni has appointed Mr. Lino Anguzu as the new Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), replacing Justice Jane Frances Abodo, who was recently elevated to the position of Principal Judge.

The President has forwarded Anguzu’s name to Parliament’s Appointments Committee for vetting and approval, marking what could be one of the most consequential leadership transitions in Uganda’s justice system in recent years.

Mr. Anguzu, who has served as Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions and Deputy Head of the International Crimes Department, brings nearly two decades of legal experience to the top prosecutorial office.

His appointment signals continuity within the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) but also comes with high expectations for reform, efficiency, and independence.

A career public servant, Mr. Anguzu’s journey through Uganda’s legal and administrative systems paints the picture of a man who has grown through the ranks with quiet consistency.

He graduated with a Bachelor of Laws degree from Makerere University in 2002 and completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice from the Law Development Centre in 2003.

He later obtained a Master of Laws degree from the University of Dar es Salaam and is currently pursuing a Postgraduate Diploma in Project Planning and Management at the Uganda Management Institute.

He began his professional career in 2003 as a Legal Officer with FIDA-Uganda, an organisation focused on promoting women’s rights and access to justice.

A year later, he joined Hoima District Local Government as District Lands Officer, before finding his long-term professional footing when he joined the Directorate of Public Prosecutions in 2005 as a State Attorney.

Over the years, he rose steadily through the ranks to Senior State Attorney in 2011, Principal State Attorney in 2014, and Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions in 2018.

Throughout his tenure, Mr. Anguzu served as Resident State Attorney in Mbale, Arua, and Buganda Road, gaining valuable experience across Uganda’s diverse legal environments.

In 2010, he was assigned to the International Crimes Department of the DPP’s office, a pivotal arm responsible for prosecuting complex crimes such as terrorism, treason, human trafficking, piracy, and other transnational offenses.

His work in this department has placed him at the forefront of Uganda’s most challenging prosecutions, often requiring coordination with international law enforcement agencies and multilateral institutions.

Mr. Anguzu’s deep understanding of the justice system, both at district and national levels, positions him as a technocrat steeped in institutional culture but attuned to the need for transformation.

His career has unfolded within a system often constrained by resource limitations, procedural bottlenecks, and an overwhelming case backlog.

This familiarity gives him both the perspective and the urgency to address the challenges ahead.

If approved by Parliament, Mr. Anguzu will inherit an office that has made significant strides under the stewardship of Justice Abodo.

Beyond the courtroom, his role will also require navigating the complex political terrain that comes with overseeing prosecutions in a country where legal processes often intersect with political realities.