The United Nations C4ISR Academy for Peace Operations (UNCAP) commenced its first iteration of the UN Peacekeeping Operations Digital Forensics Course at the Regional Service Centre Entebbe (RSCE) from 13 to 22 April 2026. This specialized programme is designed to strengthen operational capability to extract, examine and report digital evidence from unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) in line with UN policies and mission Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
Twelve participants from the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA), United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA), United Nations Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS), United Nations Transitional Mission in Somalia (UNTMIS) and the RSCE are building practical competence in evidence handling, chain of custody, data acquisition, analysis and reporting, through hands-on exercises using industry-standard tools.
Observers from the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) and expert trainers from the United Nations Global Service Centre (UNGSC) are conducting the training.
The training is structured into two complementary streams:
- UAS Digital Forensics for First Responders (3 days): intended for first responders and personnel responsible for the collection and management of digital evidence.
- UAS Digital Forensics Level 1 (5 days): a technically demanding module for personnel involved in the collection, management, and reporting of digital evidence, and is accessible to participants with strong computer proficiency.
This structure ensures that both front-line responders and technical practitioners are trained according to the roles they play within the broader investigative workflow.
The course methodology combines formal instruction with an emphasis on hands-on practical learning, enabling participants to apply key learning points through software and hardware workflows used in real investigations.
Upon completion, participants are expected to apply digital forensics principles throughout an investigation, manage and respond to UAS-related incidents safely and systematically and present UAS-related findings clearly and as evidence in reports.
As UAS-related incidents continue to evolve across operational environments, strengthening peacekeeping personnel's ability to respond to, investigate, and report on digital evidence remains critical. This first iteration reflects UNCAP’s commitment to delivering mission-relevant, technically rigorous training that strengthens safety, accountability and operational readiness across UN peace operations.
UNCAP expresses its appreciation to the Government of Denmark for supporting this important capability development.
