Lusaka | July 16, 2026 – Zambia has become a reference point for justice reform on the continent after the Uganda Law Reform Commission (ULRC) chose Lusaka for a high-level benchmarking visit on the review of Uganda’s Identification of Offenders Act.
A delegation from Uganda, led by Rtd. Hon. Justice Billy Kainamura, Commissioner of the Uganda Law Reform Commission, is in the country to understudy Zambia’s experience in offender identification, forensic science, and prosecution-led investigations. He was accompanied by the ULRC Secretary, Ms. Jeroline Akubu; Ag. Assistant Inspector General of Police Mr. Andrew Mubiru, who also serves as Director of Forensic Services in the Uganda Police Force; and other legal and research officers from the Commission.
Ms. Akubu provided an overview of the ULRC’s constitutional mandate under Article 248(1) of the Ugandan Constitution, highlighting the Commission’s work in reviewing, modernising, and simplifying legislation including translating key laws into local languages and accessible formats such as Braille to enhance public legal awareness. She noted that Uganda is currently reviewing Chapter 127 of its laws, the Identification of Offenders Act, and is conducting comparative studies in selected African jurisdictions, with Zambia selected as a key learning centre for its progressive legal and institutional frameworks.
Welcoming the delegation to the National Prosecution Authority (NPA) headquarters, the Learned Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Mr. Gilbert A. Phiri SC observed that modern crime, including advances in technology, transnational organised crime, and cyber-enabled offending, has outgrown old methods, making effective offender identification, forensic science, and institutional collaboration indispensable. He emphasised that while legal systems may differ, African nations face common challenges and must learn from one another to strengthen justice delivery across the continent.
Discussions between the two sides focused on Zambia’s experience in offender identification, the admissibility of identification evidence, recidivism, the operational impact of the National Forensic Act, 2020, and the management of criminal records across police, prosecution, and courts. The NPA team comprised Mrs. Mercy Pondamali-Lungu, Deputy Chief State Advocate (DCSA) in charge of the Appeals and Legal Services Department of the NPA, Mrs. Gracilia Chipulu-Mulenga, DCSA heading the Economic and Financial Crimes Department, DCSA in charge of Lusaka Province Mr. Sikazwe and his deputy, Principal State Advocate, Mrs. Monde Muyoba-Chizongo, as well as Mrs Tembo-Weza who heads the Environmental and Wildlife Crimes Department. These senior members of the NPA team provided comprehensive insights drawn from Zambia’s prosecutorial practice, followed by a robust question-and-answer session that benefited both institutions.
The Learned DPP expressed optimism that the visit will not only enrich Uganda’s legislative review but also cement long-term collaboration between the two institutions in areas such as prosecution-led investigations, forensic capacity, training, and overall criminal justice strengthening. The Ugandan held a series of technical engagements with several institutions during its stay in Lusaka.
The visit highlighted the importance of regional cooperation and shared learning in strengthening criminal justice administration across Africa.