Forensics University take off to strengthen Uganda criminal justice system, national security

JINJA - The National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU), which officially opened in Uganda two years ago, aiming to strengthen forensic investigations in the country, is set to commence with six postgraduate programmes this academic year.

Two of the academic programmes in the 2025/26 academic year include Master of Science in Forensic Science and master of Science in Digital Forensics and Information Security, according to Air Commodore K.R Thaakar, the director of the campus.

The others, he said, are post-graduate diplomas in homeland security, crime scene management, cyber security, plus a postgraduate diploma in fingerprint and questioned documents.

“All the programmes are open to the young civilians as well as foreign students. The overall aim is to help strengthen the criminal justice system and the national security,” Thaakar said.

He was speaking at the occasion to commemorate the 79th Independence Day of India held at the university campus at Gadaffi Barracks in Jinja city on Friday, August 15, 2025.

Thaakar observed that Uganda and India enjoy an age-old relationship, a shared colonial legacy, independence movements and an outlook for emerging opportunities.

He, however, noted that despite the two countries enjoying the fruits of freedom, there is need for vigilance as ‘different forces and new methods are at work to subjugate nations’ through criminal acts such as terrorism, cyber attacks and radicalisation.

“It is in the interest of guarding against these negative forces that NFSU (India) Uganda campus would be making its humble contribution to Uganda as well as other African countries,” he said.

Brig. Gen. Wycliffe Keita, the Joint Chief of Staff Training and Doctrine Command (TRODAC) in the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), praised the role played by forensic experts in unravelling crime.

“This institution will greatly help build capacity for handling crime and ensuring safety of the people. The area of forensics will not remain the same,” he noted.

The ceremony was attended by, among others Brig. Gaetano Omola, former commandant of the Uganda Rapid Deployment Capability Centre (URDCC), Brig. Flavia Byekwaso, chief of staff at the URDCC and Col. Elvis Byamukama, the deputy Commandant of the Senior Command and Staff College.

Brig. Gen. Emmanuel Kanyesigye, the cantonment commander of Gadaffi Barracks and Charles Nsaba, the Kiira regional police commander, also attended the event.
Growth opportunities

Thaakar observed that, like India, which started out as a low-income economy but is currently ranked among the world’s largest economies, Uganda has the opportunity to harness its potential for growth and development.

“India, the world’s fourth largest economy, has emerged as the fastest growing major economy and is on track to become the world’s third largest economy with a projected GDP of $7.3 trillion by 2030. Its exports have increased by 75%, services exports have more than doubled, FDI inflows have shown a 25% increase this year, digital transactions have gone up nine times in the last five years, and inflation has reduced to around 5%,” he said.

He said India had embarked on an ambitious journey to revolutionise the country’s infrastructure landscape, aiming to bolster economic growth and enhance connectivity to improve the quality of life for its citizens.

“With a focus on modernising transportation networks, India has achieved significant milestones in infrastructure development, including the world’s longest highway tunnel, the Atal Tunnel, and the world’s highest railway bridge, the Chenab Bridge. India has also set records by unveiling iconic landmarks like the Statue of Unity, which is the world’s tallest statue,” he said.

About NFSU

The National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU) India was established in 2009 in Gujarat, India, with a major focus on forensics and cybersecurity.

On April 12, 2023, it inaugurated its first overseas campus, the NFSU Uganda, based at the Gadaffi Barracks in Jinja city. The ceremony was presided over by third deputy Prime Minister Hajjat Lukia Isanga Nakadama, who represented President Yoweri Museveni.

According to Thaakar, its establishment was a result of a request made by him in November 2021 when he and a visiting team from NFSU India met with then army commander Gen. Wilson Mbadi.

Later, he said President Yoweri Museveni also requested India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the campus in August 2022.

“Thereafter, the project rapidly took shape with the whole-hearted support of the Ministry of Defence and Veteran affairs and UPDF, as well as India’s Ministry of External Affairs and Home Affairs, leading to its establishment in April 2023,” he said.