Apart from providing a critical number of personnel, the Uganda Police Force also provides leadership and as a matter of fact, the current Head of AMISOM Police Component is a Ugandan, CP Christine Alaru.
Uganda Police Officers sit for African Union-Somali Mission exams. Courtesy Photo
KAMPALA. 326 Police Officers from Uganda Police Force have sat for the Assistance to Mission Support Examinations.
The exams set by the African Union were conducted at Youth Sharing Hall in Nsambya.
According to AIGP Grace Turyagumanawe, Director Peace Support
Operations in Uganda Police Force, successful candidates will be
deployed to peace mission in Somalia.
"Today we are examining 326 police officers from the Uganda Police
Force undergoing an Assistance to Mission Support Exam by African Union
from Addis-Ababa. These exams will make them ready to be deployed in
Somalia under the AMISOM arrangement," AIGP Turyagumanawe said before
the commencement of the exercise on Thursday.
The officers were tested in oral and comprehension in English and report writing.
Successful candidates will be subjected to a driving test and range exercises later.
"These are individual Police Officers who will help to secure Somalia
in providing training, mentoring and other services as far as Somalia
security is concerned," he added.
He noted that the officers will also get exposure to international policing and experience.
"So, when they come back, they bring a rich and a wider experience
and also the money paid to them helps in supporting the economy and
improving their own welfare," AIGP Turyagumanawe noted adding, "We
always encourage Police Officers to participate in these international
missions. So, always take note of our advertisements and Police
messages."
Aderemi Adeoye, the Police Coordinator in the Peace Support Divisions
of African Union Commission highlighted the reasons for deployment of
Police officers to participate in peace keeping missions.
"We have a mandate given by the peace and Security Council of the AU
to train the Somali Police, mentor them and advise them in the course of
discharging their duties with the aim of building the capacity of the
Somali Police Force and provide policing services for the Somali
people," he said.
Apart from providing a critical number of personnel, the Uganda
Police Force also provides leadership and as a matter of fact, the
current Head of AMISOM Police Component is a Ugandan, CP Christine
Alaru.
Due to Police-AMISOM deployment, the Force has trained over 1000 Somali National Police Officers.
Uganda is part of the six Somali troop-contributing countries that
include Sierra Leon, Ghana, Nigeria, Uganda, Kenya and Zambia.