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.
APOT, S (2021). The Role Of Police In The Criminal Justice System: A Case Study Of Kampala District. Afribary. Retrieved from https://afribary.com/works/the-role-of-police-in-the-criminal-justice-system-a-case-study-of-kampala-district
APOT, STEVE "The Role Of Police In The Criminal Justice System: A Case Study Of Kampala District" Afribary. Afribary, 10 Jun. 2021, https://afribary.com/works/the-role-of-police-in-the-criminal-justice-system-a-case-study-of-kampala-district. Accessed 21 Apr. 2025.
APOT, STEVE . "The Role Of Police In The Criminal Justice System: A Case Study Of Kampala District". Afribary, Afribary, 10 Jun. 2021. Web. 21 Apr. 2025. < https://afribary.com/works/the-role-of-police-in-the-criminal-justice-system-a-case-study-of-kampala-district >.
APOT, STEVE . "The Role Of Police In The Criminal Justice System: A Case Study Of Kampala District" Afribary (2021). Accessed April 21, 2025. https://afribary.com/works/the-role-of-police-in-the-criminal-justice-system-a-case-study-of-kampala-district