POROSITY OF UGANDA BORDERS AND TRANSNATIONAL CRIMES: EAST AFRICAN COMMUNITY CRIME MANAGEMENT MECHANISMS

Abstract

The East Africa community which was reinstated by the East African countries in 2000 after its
establishment in 1967 and collapsed in 1977 has underscored the importance of peace and
security in order to ensure a successful process of regional integration regarding the control
of cross border crimes. In order to enhance cooperation in fighting cross border crimes, a
council on Interstate security has been established and some key areas of focus are
implementation of the protocol on illicit drug trafficking; small arms and light weapons
management programme; and Cooperation in police matters. The thrust of this paper are
therefore to trace the evolution of the East African Community and to examine the nature of
transnational crimes across Uganda borders. The paper further highlights the porosity
situation of Uganda borders and some strategies or mechanisms employed by the East African
Community States to address the challenges posed by informal trades in East Africa
Community countries borders. The writers relied on primary sources like Charters,
Conventions, Treaties and protocols; and secondary sources which include textbook, theses,
articles in journals, newspapers and internet facilities. The paper concluded that the East
Africa Community states should try into integrate informal trades along their borders to formal
trades instead of a faith accompli effort to eliminate informal trades.