Kasama, Northern Province | July 9. 2026 – The dusty streets of Kasama bore witness to more than just the usual hustle of provincial life today. In a modest but significant ceremony, the Learned Director of Public Prosecutions, Mr. Gilbert A. Phiri, SC, officially opened the newly renovated National Prosecution Authority offices in the heart of the Northern Province, a move that signals a deliberate shift in the Authority’s resolve to take justice closer to the people.

Accompanied by Deputy Chief State Advocate in the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), Ms. Makumba Gwendoline Kashishi and state advocate from the ODPP, Ms. Ruth Mwangulukulu, the DPP toured the refurbished premises, which now stand as proof of the Authority’s commitment to creating a working environment that matches the gravity of the work being done within its walls. The renovation, which has been in the works for some months, is part of a broader push to equip State Advocates, Prosecutors, and support staff with the infrastructure they need to serve effectively.

But perhaps the most striking feature of the newly renovated office is not the fresh paint or the modern furniture. It is a single, prominent placard that greets every visitor at the entrance, our Integrity Pledge. In bold letters, it declares the commitment of every prosecutor in the Northern Province to carry out their responsibilities with integrity. And what makes it more than just a decoration is that every single prosecutor in the province has appended their signature to it. It is their public pledge, their standing promise to the people they serve, and a daily reminder of the weight that comes with the badge they carry.

INTEGRITY. It is the first thing you see and the foundation upon which justice is built.

In an intimate address to the Northern Province team, the Learned DPP struck a tone that was both firm and encouraging. He spoke of integrity. He spoke of professionalism. He spoke of timeliness in case disposal and the urgent need to ensure that victims of crime are not forgotten in the machinery of the criminal justice system. His message was clearly that justice cannot afford to limp. It must run, on time, with precision, and with the human face that the people of this country deserve.
The staff, many of whom have long navigated the challenges of heavy caseloads and limited resources, listened with visible appreciation. In return, they offered a commitment ~ one that was quietly resolute. They pledged to uphold the highest standards of the Office, and to ensure that justice is not only done, but is seen to be done.
For the people of Northern Province, the renovated office is more than just a building. It is a statement. It says that the wheels of justice are turning, even in the farthest reaches of the country. It says that every citizen, regardless of where they live, has a right to efficient, fair, and timely prosecution services.
As the event ended, there was a palpable sense that this was not just a ribbon-cutting. It was a restatement. A promise. A step forward.
The National Prosecution Authority remains firm in its mission to strengthen access to justice and rebuild public trust in the criminal justice system ~ one office, one community, one case at a time.