The Role of Uganda Police Force in Peace and Conflict Resolution: A Case Study of Nothern Uganda

ABSTRACT The above research was carried out in northern Uganda with an intention of examining the role of Uganda police force in peace and conflict resolution in the republic of Uganda. The research attempt to trace the history of Uganda police force citing its development from the pre-colonial era to post-colonial times, it addresses the legal establishment and categorization of the force in different departments. The research critically looks at the role of the police with a considerable scrutiny, most prominently is their operational role in peace and conflict resolution and their challenges are afforded a lot of analysis, in respect of operation the research :it the , i , , , _ of the Uganda police force in the conflict resolution which culminate into peace on sdtlement and more conflict on fail that's before the involvement during the involvement and after involvement. The research also analyze the effectiveness of the Uganda police force in the execution of their statutory duties, in this respect the research looks at the weakness exposed during, after and before operation. Challenges failing Uganda police are also researched upon challenges like, corruption, poor leadership, poor communication, between police and other stake holders, influence by un touchable, lack of facilities are discussed in depth. During the research process, different methods of data collection were applied which include questionnaire where by information was got through structured q co: and closed ended questions, interviews with police officers and Victims, ,nth open ions which include fact finding missions where by the researchers would observe the factors in the actual sense by interacting with the respondents, library research which involved comparison of literature that was previously researched on relevant field both in local and international level. Basing on the research findings, it can be concluded that the Uganda police force play central role in peace and conflict resolution. It can be said without any fear of the contradiction that police can switch on or off conflict or reactivate a conflict. The research recommends possible tenable solutions to challenges aforesaid, institution frame work, proper communication system, adequate financing of the Uganda police force are some of the solutions among others suggested.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

DECLARATION ............................................................................................................................. ii

APPROVAL .................................................................................................................................. .iii

DEDICATION ............................................................................................................................. iv

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT................................................................ .. ............ .. . .............. v

LIST OF ACRONYMS .................................................................................................................. vi

LIST OF CASES ........................................................................................................................... vii

LIST OF STATUTES .................................................................................................................. viii

TABLE OF CONTENTS ............................................................................................................... ix

ABSTRACT .................................................................................................................................. xii

CHAPTER ONE ............................................................................................................................ 1

1.0 Introduction .......................................................................................................................... 1

I.I Back ground of the study ..................................................................................................... l

1.2 Categories of Uganda police force . ...................... ...... ...... ... .. . .. .. . . .. .. .. . . ......... 3

1.2.1 Regular force .................................................................................................................. 3

1.2.2 Civilian staff ..................................................................................................................... 3

1.2.3 Auxiliary force .................................................................................................................. 3

1.3 Directorates of Uganda Police .............................................................................................. 3

1.4 Statement of the problem ..................................................................................................... 4

1.5 Objectives of the study ......................................................................................................... 4

1.6 Research Questions .............................................................................................................. 4

1.7 Scope of the study ................................................................................................................. 4

1.8 Significance of the study ...................................................................................................... 5

1.8.1 Legislature ..................................................................................................................... 5

1.8.2 Academicians ................................................................................................................. 5

1.8.3 Police as an institution ...................................................................................................... 5

1.8.4 Judiciary ............................................................................................................................ 5

1.8.5 Researchers ........................................................................................................................ 5

1.8.6 Civil Society Organizations ............................................................................................. 5

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1.9 Purpose of the study ............................................................................................................ 6

1.10 Methodology ..................................................................................................................... 6

1.10.1 Sampling ........................................................................................................................... 6

1.11 Limitations of the study ................................................................................................ 7

1.13 Synopsis ............................................................................................................................. 11

CHAPTER TWO............................................................................. ................ .. ................. 12

THE LEGAL FRAMEWORK ON THE LAW GOVERNING POLICE IN AND

CONFLICT RESOLUTION ...................................................................................................... 12

2.0 Introduction ............................................................................................................................. 12

2.3 The Police Act Cap 313 ........................................................................................................... 13

2.1. Effectiveness of the Uganda force .......................................................................................... 13

2.2. Challenges facing the police force ......................................................................................... 16

2.2.1. Influence by the untouchables ............................................................................................. 16

2.2.2. Corruption ........................................................................................................................... 17

2.2.3 Lack of capacity ................................................................................................................... 18

2.2.4 Lack of facilities...................................................................... .. . .. . .. .. . .. . . . . . . .. .. ...... I 8

2.2.5 Time line.................................................................................... . .. . ... .......... .. . .................... 19

2.2.6 Poor communication and co-ordination between police and other departments .................. 19

CHAPTER THREE .................................................................................................................... 20

THE ROLES OF UGANDA POLICE IN PEACE AND CONFLICT RESOLUTION ....... 20

3.0 Introduction ....................................................................................................................... 20

3.1 Cause of Conflicts .............................................................................................................. 20

3.2 The Role of Uganda police force in peace and conflict resolution .................................... 22

3.2.1 Investigation Role .......................................................................................................... 22

3.2.2 Operational role ........................................................................................................ 23

3.2.3 The role to protect the rights of the suspects ............................................................... 24

3.2.5 The role of holding exhibits ............................................................................................ 28

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CHAPTER FOUR ....................................................................................................................... 29

RESEARECH FINDINGS AND DATA ANALYSIS .............................................................. 29

4.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................. 29

4.2 Demographic features .............................................................................................................. 29

4.2.1 Respondents and Response Rate .......................................................................................... 29

4.2.2 Respondent's age .................................................................................................................. 29

4.2.3 The level of education of the respondents ........................................................................... 30

CHAPTER FIVE ......................................................................................................................... 36

SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS ............................................... 36

5.0 Introduction ............................................................................................................................. 36

5.3 Recommendations ................................................................................................................... 38

5.3.1 Provision of legal advise ...................................................................................................... 38

5.3.2 Restore confidence with the public ...................................................................................... 39

5.3.3 Increase of salaries ............................................................................................................... 39

5.2.5 Recruitment and retraining ................................................................................................... 39

5.3.6 Support private sector training ............................................................................................. 39

5.3.7 Creation of established unit..................................................... ... ............ . ...... .40

5.3.8 Avoid manipulation by politicians........................................... ................. . ................... .40

5.3.9 Respond to life threatening situations ................................................................................. .40