The Role Of Police In The Criminal Justice System: A Case Study Of Kampala District

ABSTRACT

The above research was caiTied out in Kampala District within the Republic of Uganda with

an intention of examining the role of the police in administration of criminal justice in the

republic aforesaid.

The research attempts to trace the history of Uganda Police Force citing its developments

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 roles of the police with a considerable scrutiny. Most

prominently is their investigatory role, handling exhibits and their role in under diversion

otherwise referred as juvenile justice system, are afforded a lot of analysis. In respect to the

investigatory role, the research looks at the involvement of the Uganda police force in

criminal investigations which later culminate into prosecutions in court of judicature. Their

roles at the time of atTest, search, when an accused person is in custody, during trial and

thereafter are addressed by the research.

The research also analyses the effectiveness of the police in execution of their statutory

duties. In this respect the research looks at the most recent crime report. The research

examines controversial decide criminal cases citing the weaknesses exposed therein. The high

profile case of Uganda versus Kato Kajumbi and Another is scrutinized.

Challenges facing the police force are also researched on. Challenges like corruption, lack of

capacity, lack of communication and coordination between the police and other stake holders,

influence by untouchables, timelines in juvenile cases and lack of facilities are discussed in

depth.

During the research process, different methods of data collection were are applied which

included; questionnaires whereby information was gotten through structured questions

containing both open and closed ended questions, interviews with police officers and

suspects, observations which included fact finding missions whereby the researcher would

observe the factors in the actual sense by interacting with the respondents, library research

which involved comparisons of literature that was previously researched on a relevant field

both in local and intemationallevel.

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Basing on the research findings, it can be concluded that the Uganda Police Force play a

central role in administration of justice. It can be said without any fear of contradiction that police can make or unmake a criminal case. It is disappointing to note that the institutional inadequacy, character vices limit service delivery on the part of the police thus occasioning miscarriage of justice in Uganda.

The research recommends possible tenable solutions to the challenges aforesaid. Institutional frameworks, proper communications system, adequate financing of the Uganda police Force are some of the solution suggested.