1.INTRODUCTION

Digital Forensics is the process of identifying, collecting analyzing and preserving digital evidence from computers, mobile devices, network or cloud systems. The purpose being to support crime investigation, legal proceedings, cybersecurity response and corporate investigations with the key principle of maintaining integrity evidence so as to ensure admissibility in court.

At the East Africa Forensic Conference, it was shown that the cybercrime issue has proved to be a thorn to multiple countries and in other cases not even caring for nation borders to the point of showing the need for international cooperation so as to combat cybercrimes as the perpetrators will use national borders and jurisdictions to their advantages

2. WHY THE NEED FOR DIGITAL FORENSIC READINESS

·      Combating Cybercrime and Fraud. The countries have faced cases of mobile money fraud, online scams and even banking intrusions

The above image shows one of the scammers trying to give wrong information so as to commit mobile money fraud. Readiness in digital forensics ensures that police, regulators, and courts can investigate and prosecute offenders effectively using admissible electronic evidence

·      Protecting National Security and Critical infrastructure. Forensic capacity allows the nations to detect, trace, and respond to digital espionage or sabotage against critical systems.

 

·      Safeguarding the Digital Economy. Mobile money platforms (M-Pesa, Mixx by Yas, Airtel Money, etc.) and e-commerce are central to nations (Tanzania’s) economy. Digital forensics readiness helps build public trust by protecting users against fraud, data breaches, and insider threats

·      Regional and international Cooperation along with ensuring legal and regulatory compliance. Cybercrime is often cross-border, East Africa nations should find common ground to share evidence, collaborate, and uphold international standards. Without forensic readiness, enforcement of Cyber laws is weak

Regional assessments from INTERPOL and PwC show significant rise in sophisticated Cyber-attacks targeting East African institutions leading to increased threats. Shortage of trained digital forensics professionals unable to keep pace with growing demand for investigation capabilities hence widening skills gap. Without robust digital forensics capacity, investigations stall or evidence is dismissed in court proceedings thus showing evidence challenges.

 

Digital evidence is decisive and without proper forensic handling evidence may be:

·      Inadmissible in court

·      Compromised during collection

·      Misinterpreted by investigators

·      Challenged by defence attorneys

 

3.RECENT NOTABLE DEVELOPMENTS FOR DIGITAL FORENSICS PROGRESS IN EAST AFRICA

To strike back at the rise of cybercrime, the nations of East Africa have made some progressive developments as to counter the increase in cybercrimes such as

 

·      Tanzania- The enactment of the Cybercrimes Act (2015) and the Personal Data Protection Act (2022), the Electronic and Postal Communications Act [CAP. 306 R.E. 2022] (EPOCA) all providing a foundation for handling digital evidence and data protection. Also, the Establishment of TZ-CERT for incident response, the Personal Data Protection Commission (PDPC), and specialized police/CID cybercrime units.

 

·      Kenya- Establishment of the Directorate of Criminal Investigation (DCI) Cybercrime and Digital Forensic Lab that performs forensic analysis of digital media, supports criminal investigations nationwide, functions as part of Kenya's broader National Forensic Laboratory upgrades, serves as a national reference for device, mobile, and network evidence

 

·      Uganda-The National Forensic Sciences University Campus in Jinja (Uganda) has established itself as an important regional academic hub with: Dedicated Department of Cyber Security and Digital Forensics. Offering specialized MSc and diploma programmes. Curriculum tailored to cybercrime investigation, digital forensics, network security and incident response. The partnership model between India and Uganda demonstrates successful knowledge transfer.

 

·      Rwanda- Multiple establishments including the Rwanda Forensic Institute which is dedicated digital forensics services to support national investigations. Rwanda Investigation Bureau which Operates specialized digital forensics units with trained personnel.

 

 

4.CONCLUSION

The Rise of Cybercrime has been a thorn to most institutions in East Africa but with the increase of Digital forensic and cooperation amongst the East African nations it allows for them to handle and apprehend the perpetuators of such crimes while maintaining evidence integrity while showing there is room for improvement in our systems to safeguard the digital side of the economy.

 

REFERENCES

1.     Respickius O. Casmir (PhD). 2025.Digital Forensics in Cybersecurity: Tanzania’s Institutional Readiness

2.     Aron Kondoro. 2025. The Role of Academia & Research in Advancing Digital Forensics In Africa