By Vision Reporter

The growing tourism sector in the country on Saturday received further boost with the passing out of 185 tourism police officers.

The officers were passed out at a grand function presided over by the Inspector General of Police, Lt. Gen. Kale Kayihura.   

He enrolled the second batch of the officers, who underwent training for three weeks, at Kabalye police training school in Masindi district.

Kayihura said the specialised force is in charge of ensuring the safety and confidence of tourists in the country.

He warned that there was increased rate of terrorism across the region, and that tourists are a high target to terrorists.

The terrorists, Kayihura said, target tourists for ransoms in order to fund their activities.

“Terrorists should never be a threat to the industry. Invest your skills and expertise in protecting what belongs to the country,” Kayihura said.

“Over sh88b is collected as revenue from tourism. So apply the skills you have acquired for the country to reap more from the trade,” he added.

The officers were trained in aggressiveness and physical fitness, overview of terrorism, bomb awareness, introduction to the tourism sector and its key players as well as tourism laws.

They also underwent training in community policing, ideological development, hostage rescue procedures, target vulnerability analysis, operational planning, first aid, night tracking and political education.

Kayihura lauded the directorate of counter-terrorism, Gilbert Baguma, the executive director of the tourism board and Col. Charles Tusiime of the Uganda Wildlife Authority for the support rendered towards the training of the officers.