Kayihura named regional Police chief

Kayihura (centre) receives a gift  from the outgoing chairperson, Emmanuel Gasana (second right) as the Police spokesperson,Asan Kasingye, Roraima Andriani, the Interpol director of Global Outreach and Abdel Ghani Hamel look on. Photo by Roderick Ahimbazwe

The Rwanda Inspector General of Police, Emmanuel Gasana, has handed over the chairmanship of the regional Police chief's body to his Ugandan counterpart, Gen. Kale Kayihura.

Kayihura was named Eastern Africa Police Chiefs Co-operation Organisation (EAPCCO) chairperson at colorful ceremony held at Speke Resort in Munyonyo, yesterday.

In his acceptance speech, Kayihura, called for co-operation and commitment by working together to achieve a common goal of ‘fighting transnational organised crime' in the region."Having DR Congo in EAPCCO, is a sign that we are united to fight crime," said Kayihura.

While addressing the 19th EAPCCO council of Police chiefs, the AFRIPOL president, Abdel Ghani Hamel tasked the chiefs with working towards the main goal of fulfilling the  African Union mechanism for Police Co-operation (AFRIPOL) mission.

Without disclosing figures, Hamel asked the EAPCCO Member States to pay their annual contributions towards AFRIPOL. 

The first general assembly of the African Union Mechanism for Police Co-operation (AFRIPOL) was held in Algiers, Algeria, from May 14 to 16 2017.

The general assembly is the supreme technical and deliberative organ of AFRIPOL, with the responsibility to provide leadership and direction, regarding police co-operation in Africa. It is composed of chiefs of Police from all AU Member States.

EAPCCO) brings together 14 countries in the region with countries such as Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Burundi, Rwanda, Seychelles, South Sudan, Sudan, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Djibouti, DRC, Comoros and Somalia. 

This is Kayihura's third time leading the regional body, the first being in 2007.