AMISOM hails Uganda Police officers for role in Somalia

The African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) has hailed a contingent of Individual Police Officers (IPOs) from Uganda for their outstanding contribution in stabilising the country. 

The officers who have completed their tour of duty were decorated at a function held in Mogadishu on Tuesday, presided over by the AMISOM Police Chief of Staff, Rex Dundun. 

Uganda is one of the six police contributing countries to the mission; others being Kenya, Sierra Leone, Ghana and Nigeria. Zambia recently joined after deploying a group of officers to serve under AMISOM. 

Dundun noted that the contingent had been instrumental in helping AMISOM Police implement its mandate, and thanked the government of Uganda for allowing the team to serve the Mission. 

"We have noticed some very diligent officers among you. We have noticed some very dedicated and professional officers in you and these qualities have not gone unnoticed," Dundun noted.

 "Let me start by first thanking the government of Uganda for giving us this group of officers. They are well trained and dedicated" AMISOM Police Commissioner Brig. Gen. Anand Pillay said.

He hailed the Ugandan contingent for their diligence, noting that it had worked hard aiding AMISOM stabilize Somalia.

IPOs are tasked with mentoring, advising and training the Somali Police Force (SPF), with whom they collocate at various police stations in Mogadishu and the federal states.

Also present at the function were senior AMISOM Police officers, among them the AMISOM Police Operations Coordinator, Daniel Ali Gwambal, and the Coordinator Reforms and Restructuring, Maxwell Chikunguru.