Police officers serving in peacekeeping missions urged to uphold professionalism

Police officers serving in peacekeeping missions have been advised to maintain discipline and respect the code of conduct to enable them excel in their work.

AMISOM Deputy Commissioner of Police, Christine Alalo, made the remarks at a ceremony held, today, for a group of Ugandan Individual Police Officers who had completed a year’s tour of duty, serving under the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM).

“What is important is discipline and learning the work. Learn the work in the mission you are serving in, and always remember, discipline and teamwork are very important when serving in an international mission,” said Ms Alalo.

Commissioner Alalo possesses over 16 years of police experience, part of which she has gained working in international peacekeeping missions. Before joining AMISOM, she worked as Police Advisor at the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) based in Juba.

Ms Alalo hailed the Ugandan officers for exhibiting professionalism, resilience and patience while training and mentoring Somali police officers.

She also thanked the Uganda government for allowing the officers to serve under the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), adding that the gesture had not only helped in promoting the country’s image but also advanced the individual officers’ careers.

The Deputy Police Commissioner said the AMISOM police component will have to put in place systems that will ensure continuity when the mandate of the African Union Mission in Somalia comes to an end.

The 11-member contingent was awarded certificates of service for their exemplary work in Somalia.

Speaking on behalf of the outgoing officers, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Emmanuel Mukama, said the officers had excelled in their assigned duties in the various work locations in the country.

“All these members have performed very well. There are many contributions they have in the mission,” SSP Mukama said.

The farewell ceremony was attended by a number of senior police officers from the AMISOM Police Contributing Countries namely Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, and Sierra Leone.

The Commander of the Ghanaian police contingent, Tennyson Aidoo, wished the officers well in their next assignments.

“Show everybody back home that you came here to Somalia and learnt a lot, apart from what you contributed to the peacebuilding process in Somalia,” Mr Aidoo said.