Joint Anti-Terrorist Task Force of Uganda

Joint Anti-Terrorist Task Force (JATT)
Agency overview
Formed	May 13, 1999
Jurisdiction	Uganda
Headquarters	Kampala, Uganda
Employees	Classified
Annual budget	Classified
Parent agency	Government of Uganda

The Joint Anti-Terrorist Task Force (JATT) is a multi-agency security unit of the Government of Uganda established to combat terrorism and insurgency within the country.^[1] The task force was initially formed on May 13, 1999, and later formalized under the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2002.^[2]

History

JATT was established in 1999 as a joint operation drawing personnel from multiple security agencies including the Uganda People's Defence Force (UPDF), the Uganda Police Force, and both internal and external intelligence organizations.^[1] The unit was formalized through the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2002 in response to the insurgency of the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) in northern Uganda.^[3]

Structure and composition

JATT operates as a joint unit under the Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence (CMI) and incorporates personnel from various security agencies.^[4] The task force includes members from:

Uganda People's Defence Force (UPDF)
Uganda Police Force
Internal Security Organisation (ISO)
External Security Organisation (ESO)
Defence Intelligence and Security (DIS)

The unit has no formally codified mandate, despite constitutional requirements that intelligence services be established through proper legal frameworks.^[1]

Operations and mandate

JATT's primary focus has been combating the Lord's Resistance Army and other terrorist threats within Uganda.^[3] The task force conducts counter-terrorism operations, intelligence gathering, and security enforcement activities across the country.^[5]

Along with the Internal Security Organization (ISO) and the Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence (CMI), the unit has continue to operate behind curtains for most of its operations.^[6]

Controversies

JATT has faced significant criticism from human rights organizations regarding its operational methods. Human Rights Watch documented cases of illegal detention and torture by the task force, noting that agents often conduct arrests in civilian clothes without identifying insignia and fail to inform suspects of arrest reasons.^[1] The organization has called for reforms to address these human rights concerns.^[1]