An exploration of the effectiveness of police forensic investigations in countering terrorism in Kampala City

Abstract

This study explores the effectiveness of Uganda Police forensic investigations in countering terrorism with particular focus on Kampala city, drawing on the 2010 and 2021 terrorist attacks. The study was guided by three objectives. The first is to map and document the different terrorist incidents in Uganda. Second, to examine the major actors and or key players and their motives for engaging in acts of terrorism in Uganda. Third, to explore the initiatives taken by the Uganda Police Force and other security agencies to counter terrorism in Uganda with particular focus on forensic investigations. The study adopted a qualitative research design and methodology, with a case study approach particularly the bombing of July 11, 2010 (7/11 2010) at the Ethiopian restaurant in Kabalagala and Kyadondo Rugby Club in Nakawa as well as the November 17th 2021 explosions at Kampala Central Police Station (CPS) and near Uganda Parliament. Eighteen (18) key informant interviews (KII) were conducted and data was analysed through thematic and content analysis.

The findings show that there were nine acts of terrorism in Kampala City: three (3) in 2010 and seven (7) in 2021. These were masterminded by three non-state actors: Al Shabab, Islamic state and Allied Democratic Forces (ADF and were primarily attributed to Uganda’s intervention in Somalia in 2007 and marginalization of Muslims. The methods used to execute their missions were the using bombs, assassination by shooting, and bombing-suicide-lone wolf attacks. In an attempt to respond to the 2010 attack, the UPF created the Directorate of Forensic Services to handle scenes of crime after explosions, blood spatter evidence for DNA screening, scene reconstruction, development of an internal data system through fingerprinting of persons and firearms, geo-referencing of information on e-platforms. The study concludes that although forensic investigations have facilitated the response to acts of terrorism, they are not a preventive measure. Terrorism continues to appear in nuanced forms that the Government of Uganda (GoU) barely handles forensically. The study recommends that government should invest in capacity building of investigators, inter country co-operation, fight money laundering, among other strategies.