Uganda Deploys More Police Officers To Somalia

A new contingent of Ugandan Individual Police Officers (IPOs) has been deployed in Somalia to serve on the peacekeeping mission.

The contingent comprising of 14 police officers has been fully inducted after undergoing a one week’s training course upon arrival and is ready to serve under the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM).

At the end of their induction on Friday, the officers were advised to focus on peacekeeping roles and avoid untoward behavior that may compromise their work, according to a statement issued by AMISOM.

Speaking at the end of the induction training the Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission for Somalia (SRCC) Ambassador Maman Sidikou stressed the importance of policing in the peacekeeping mission.

“Police will be playing a greater role as we move towards the 2016 elections in Somalia. You will complement the efforts of your military colleagues in keeping peace. Your role of liberating the country into a peaceful one is very important,” Sidikou told the contingent.

He also urged the officers to be conscious of and respect the culture of the local people and pay particular attention to protecting women, children and vulnerable groups. He also warned against sexual exploitation and abuse.

IPOs are involved in training, mentoring, advising and helping build the individual capacities of Somali police officers as well as the Somali Police Force (SPF) as an institution.

AMISOM Police Commissioner Anand Pillay described the induction training as intense but added that AMISOM has zero tolerance to sexual exploitation and abuse, warning that the mission has zero tolerance for such vices.

Source: New Vision