Peace support operations: challenges and prospects for Uganda Police Force

Abstract

Uganda's contributions to peacekeeping operations during the past 20 years have primarily taken the shape of military officers, police, prison officials, and civilian experts who have been sent on missions since mid-2004, 52 of the 61 Ugandans serving in UN peacekeeping operations right now are police (R Gowan, M Gleason 2012). This dissertation aimed to explore the challenges and prospects faced by the Uganda Police Force in peace support operations. The following objectives guided the study, to evaluate the peace support activities carried out by UPF, to examine the challenges UPF faces during peace support operations, and to suggest more suitable measures for enhancing UPF‘s peace support operations. The study was conducted using a qualitative approach employing a single case research design with a study population of 61 respondents. Data was collected through interviews, analysis of existing reports, and Focus Group Discussions. The findings revealed that the Uganda Police Force has participated in different peace support operations and has registered both successes and failures. The failures are due to several challenges such as insufficient funding, logistical inadequacies, security threats and terrorism, inadequate police personnel, poor infrastructure, language and cultural barriers, corruption and misconduct, and gender inequality. However, the study also identified several prospects for the Uganda Police Force in their peace support operations, including financial reforms, silencing the guns, political and practical re-assurances, change of conflict landscape, establishment of a track record by the UN and AU, technological advancements and gender equality training. The study concludes with recommendations for the Uganda Police Force on how to address the challenges and maximize the prospects for successful peace support operations.