This paper analyses the origin and evolution of the Aguu, a group of street youth/children labelled as a criminal gang operating in the streets of Gulu, Uganda. Based on a series of interviews, focus group discussions, participant observations, archival work and literature review, the paper traces the origin of the Aguu to the conflict in Northern Uganda, and describes the transformation of the Aguu from street youth/children linked to war and displacement to their present day labelling as 'criminal gang'. Anchored in an analysis based on Assemblage Theory, this paper demonstrates the complexity, multiplicity and fluidity of the Aguu identity as a group whose inception and evolution, both internal and external, occurs through a process of relationship between social, political, economic and infrastructural changes linked to war, culture, aid and politics, affecting present day security discourses in Gulu, Uganda.

This research aims to contribute to debates on the decolonization of research in an African context with a focus on Gulu City in Northern Uganda. It seeks to investigate the key emerging contemporary ethical concerns in relation to researching post-conflict Northern Uganda, that is, before (clearance processes), during (conducting fieldwork alongside research collaborators) and after (information dissemination and data protection) research; examined with power relations as a denominator. The paper draws secondary sources, and primary data obtained through a set of qualitative research methodologies from research collaborators who have worked with foreign (Western) researchers. This study reveals the ethical issues and dilemmas that often precipitate the exploitation of research participants in the region. It also illustrates the dynamics of Uganda’s research industry and burgeoning research assistant culture and sub-economy. Finally, the research revealed the high levels of problematic data protection and storage issues in the region and the weaknesses of enforcement of data protection laws in the region and country. This points to the inconspicuous persistence of colonialism, oppression, and domination in systems of western research training and seek to include such an ethical understanding in their research practice.