The Institute for Security Studies (ISS) is committed to advancing the rule of law and criminal justice in Africa. In line with this goal, the ISS has assisted Uganda’s judges, prosecutors and police to respond better to terrorism, international crime (like genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes) and transnational and organised crime. 

Since 2009, the ISS’ International Crime in Africa Programme has been invited each year to train judges from the International Crimes Division of the High Court (ICD) of Uganda. The training has contributed to the prosecution and adjudication of cases involving al-Shabaab, the Lord’s Resistant Army rebel commander Thomas Kwoyelo, as well as cases relating to trafficking in people and drugs.  

‘The initial training for the ICD judges came at an opportune time, considering the 2010 World Cup Ugandan bombings,’ says ISS Senior Researcher Jemima Njeri. ‘The prosecutors and judges were well prepared for the cases and were very interactive from the very first training session.’

ISS' booklet on terrorism investigations is an invaluable asset to Uganda's counter-terrorism police

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Built on a sustainable model, the training also provides a platform for judges, and senior prosecutors and police to share experiences and sharpen existing skills with their peers. Some of the trainees are now providing training to colleagues from neighbouring countries using the ISS network, which has led to greater regional and international cooperation on criminal cases within the sector.

The ISS also recently supported the Counter-Terrorism Directorate in the Uganda Police Force to deliver an inaugural training course at its newly established counter-terrorism training school. The Ugandan police used ISS’ counter-terrorism training manual, as well as its standard operating procedures booklet as part of the training.

‘The manual has simplified our work. We are currently using [it] in our counter-terrorism training school in Olilim and at the National Police Training School in Kabalye’, says Senior Commissioner of Police Chombe Geoffrey, a Deputy Director in the Uganda police’s counter-terrorism section.

‘The booklet is an invaluable asset as it lays down basic procedures to guide officers on how to respond and carry out terrorism investigations.’

The ISS has also mentored counter-terrorism trainers in Uganda over the past 18 months. This has helped to develop local capacity to train other officials in Uganda, and also in East Africa.

The ISS will continue to work with Ugandan judges, prosecutors and law enforcement to ensure they are equipped to respond to terrorism, international and transnational crimes, not only in their own country, but also in the region.

credit link:  https://www.issafrica.org/iss-spotlight/building-ugandan-capacity-to-tackle-international-and-transnational-crimes

The article was first published by The Institute for Security Studies (http://www.issafrica.org) and is republished with permission  granted to www.oasesnews.com