Ugandan police to get special UN training

By John Agaba and Vivian Agaba               
    
The UN under-secretary general on the prevention of genocide, Adama Dieng, has said Ugandan police are to get special training that will enable them mitigate genocide related atrocities in the region.

Addressing journalists at the internal affairs ministry, Dieng, said the police will be given special trainings in the prevention of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity.

The trainings will also be focused on preventing all forms of discrimination, including ethnic cleansing at both domestic and regional levels.

“Our aim is to see that justice and peace prevail; but to ensure this we have to be vigilant at all time. If the forces have these trainings, they are better equipped to handle such atrocities committed against humanity.”

He said similar trainings were already on going in Kenya, Tanzania, Zanzibar, Egypt, Paraguay, and Argentina. They were now shifting to the US, Morocco, and Uganda.

Dieng also said that they will offer the training to non-governmental organizations and politicians “as at times it is some careless politicians who fuel conflicts through the words they say.’’

He however did not disclose when the special trainings would commence, let alone the number of police they were targeting.

Internal affairs minister, Hilary Onek, said that Uganda was committed to maintaining justice, peace and security in the region.

He dismissed claims that Uganda was fuelling some rebel groups in Congo, saying “Congo is our neighbor. They offer us market for our produce. So we need peace in Congo.’’

Asan Kasingye, the head of Interpol in Uganda welcomed the UN move, saying the UN was now proactive. “Instead of the UN waiting and coming to do reports after the atrocities have been committed, they are getting involved in the stopping of the atrocities. This is good.’’

He requested the UN to avail them (police) the genocide special training module so it can be inculcated in the police curriculum and every person who enrolls in the forces acquires the skills.