The African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) has commended members of the Uganda Formed Police Unit (FPU) for diligently implementing the Mission’s mandate and supporting capacity building for the Somali Police Force.

Presiding over a medal parade ceremony, ATMIS Police Commissioner CP Hillary Sao Kanu commended the Ugandan police contingent for their sacrifice and commitment to peace support operations in Somalia despite numerous challenges.

160 FPU personnel who have completed their tour of duty in Somalia were awarded AU medals of honour and certificates of recognition at the colourful event held at the Al-Jazeera II basecamp in Mogadishu.

ATMIS Police Commissioner CP Hillary Sao Kanu pins a medal on an ATMIS Uganda Formed Police Unit officer.

“You have been providing support to the Somali Police force in terms of operations, escorts, and mentoring. They have learned a lot from observing the way you carry your weapons, your presentation, and the high level of discipline you portray. Your attitude is one way of passing knowledge to them,” said CP Kanu in her address to the police personnel.

She also commended the Government of Uganda and the leadership of the Uganda Police Force for providing logistical support and guidance to the officers deployed to ATMIS.

“We are very proud of your discipline, commitment, despite the challenges. The work you have done here, will be remembered when the history of Somalia’s path to peace and recovery is told,” said ATMIS Deputy Police Commissioner, CP Martin Amoru.

In Somalia, Uganda FPU are deployed alongside counterparts from Ghana, Nigeria and Sierra Leone. They provide escorts to Individual Police Officers (IPOs) on mentorship duties, secure strategic government installations, and conduct joint patrols with the Somali Police Force.

ATMIS Police Commissioner CP Hillary Sao Kanu and senior commanders of the outgoing Uganda Formed Police Unit-11 cut a cake during a medal parade ceremony in Mogadishu on March 20, 2024.

“Our FPU has been successful due to teamwork, cooperation, and timely coordination with other security forces. I want to reiterate our commitment to performing our assigned tasks to achieve the ATMIS Police mandate in supporting a Somali-led security process in Somalia,” said SSP Juventine Euku, the contingent commander of the outgoing Formed Police Unit-11.

Senior ATMIS police and military officers attended the ceremony, including Acting ATMIS Police Operations and FPU coordinator, ACP Richard Evans Onyait and Uganda military contingent chief administrative officer, Col. Emmanuel Ewana.