Researchers and senior police officials in Uganda are exploring ways to use research and data more systematically in child protection and law enforcement, in an effort to strengthen the country’s response to vulnerable children.
The discussions took place between the AfriChild Centre and the Uganda Police Force, led by AfriChild Executive Director Timothy Opobo and Assistant Inspector General of Police Twaruhuka Erasmus, the Director of Research, Planning and Development.
The two sides discussed opportunities to integrate research evidence and data into the Uganda Police Force’s operational framework and to strengthen collaboration on child protection.
The aim is to support evidence-informed policies and practices that can improve how law enforcement responds to children at risk of abuse and other forms of harm.
For AfriChild, the engagement is part of a broader effort to bridge the gap between research and practice by ensuring that evidence generated by researchers reaches institutions responsible for making and implementing decisions affecting children.
The Centre works across child protection, education and development, policy and systems strengthening, among other areas.
The meeting also provides an opportunity to explore how police data and research could be used to better identify child protection risks and inform responses.
