Uganda and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) have signed an agreement to establish a UNODC office in Kampala to strengthen cooperation in tackling transnational organised crime.
The Host Country Agreement was signed on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs headquarters in Kampala by Foreign Affairs Minister Adonia Ayebare and Ali Farouk Elbereir, UNODC Regional Representative for Eastern Africa, based in Nairobi.
Elbereir congratulated Ayebare on his appointment as Foreign Affairs Minister and reaffirmed UNODC’s commitment to working with Uganda in combating organised and transnational crime.
He said the planned Uganda office is expected to become one of UNODC’s three largest offices globally, reflecting Uganda’s strategic importance and stability.
The office will focus on several areas of concern, including wildlife trafficking, people smuggling, cybercrime, money laundering and anti-corruption.
The discussions also highlighted Uganda’s role as chair of the Khartoum Process, with both sides identifying opportunities to strengthen cooperation on migration, crime prevention and other regional challenges.
Ayebare welcomed the establishment of the UNODC office, saying it would help strengthen Ugandan institutions and support law enforcement agencies in preventing and dismantling criminal networks.
He also emphasised the importance of combating money laundering and other forms of organised crime.
“Uganda is a team,” Ayebare said, reaffirming the country’s commitment to supporting UNODC’s work.
Under the agreement, the Kampala office will support UNODC programmes and projects in Uganda, contribute to regional initiatives and deepen cooperation between the Ugandan Government and the UN agency.
The establishment of a permanent UNODC presence in Uganda is expected to provide a stronger platform for joint efforts against cross-border criminal activities affecting Uganda and the wider East African region.