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🇺🇬 Uganda /Crime & Justice

Uganda and UNODC Sign Deal to Establish Kampala Office in Push Against Cross-Border Crime

From AllAfrica Uganda · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Uganda and the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) have signed an agreement to establish a UNODC office in Kampala.
  • The new office will strengthen regional cooperation against transnational organized crime, including drug trafficking, corruption, and human smuggling.
  • This move positions Uganda as a key base for combating cross-border criminal activities and enhances its institutional capacity in security and justice.

Uganda and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) have formalized a partnership by signing an agreement to establish a UNODC office in Kampala. This initiative aims to bolster regional efforts in combating a range of transnational organized crimes, including drug trafficking, corruption, and other cross-border threats.

The Host Country Agreement, signed on Tuesday, provides a formal framework for enhanced cooperation between Uganda and UNODC. It is expected to significantly strengthen Uganda's capacity to address the sophisticated criminal networks that operate across national borders. Monica Juma, UNODC Executive Director and Director-General of the United Nations Office at Vienna, welcomed the agreement, calling it a solid foundation for expanding cooperation on critical security and justice challenges.

I welcome the signing, today, of the Host Country Agreement with the Republic of Uganda. This provides a firm foundation for deepening the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and Uganda partnership in addressing the challenges relating to the UNODC mandate, namely drugs, crimes, corruption and strengthening the rule of law.

— Monica JumaUNODC Executive Director on the significance of the new office.

"This provides a firm foundation for deepening the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and Uganda partnership in addressing the challenges relating to the UNODC mandate, namely drugs, crimes, corruption and strengthening the rule of law," Juma stated. The establishment of a permanent UNODC presence in Kampala designates Uganda as a vital hub for coordinating regional action against illicit activities that increasingly exploit porous borders and technological advancements.

The new office will support efforts to combat wildlife trafficking, people smuggling, cybercrime, money laundering, and corruption. It will also collaborate with law-enforcement institutions and bolster regional initiatives, such as Uganda's involvement in the Khartoum Process. Uganda's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Adonia Ayebare, and UNODC Regional Representative for Eastern Africa, Ali Farouk Elbereir, signed the agreement. Uganda's Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized that the Kampala office signifies a shared commitment to stronger institutions, accountable governance, and coordinated regional action against border-transcending criminal networks.

As Uganda and UNODC deepen this partnership, the establishment of the Kampala Office reflects a shared commitment to stronger institutions, accountable governance and coordinated regional action against criminal networks that transcend borders.

— Uganda's Foreign MinistryStatement on the shared goals behind establishing the UNODC office.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by AllAfrica Uganda in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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