Turkey to partner with Uganda to fight terrorism

By Nicholas Kajoba

The Turkish government has pledged to partner with Uganda in its efforts to fight terrorism in the region.

The Turkish ambassador, Sedef Yauzalp, made the remarks at the closure of 10-day traffic management and supervisors course held at Mamerito Hotel, Bweyogerere.

The course drew 50 participants from various regional traffic offices countrywide. The training was conducted by police instructors from the Turkey National Police force.

Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of special duties, Andrew Sorowen and Turkish Ambassador to Uganda, Sedef Yauzalp(c) have a chat at the closing of the traffic management course at Mamerito Hotel, Bweyogerere on April 10, 2015. Turkish deputy head of traffic department, Kubilay Yildirim (L) looks on. PHOTO/NICHOLAS KAJOBA
 

Yauzalp said due to numerous cases of terrorist attacks in the region, Turkish police would be available to offer training to Uganda police in terms of counter-terrorism, narcotics and cybercrimes.

"Our Police force has lots of experience in handling counter-terrorism, narcotics and cybercrime cases. We hope to work together with the police here to ensure that some of your police officers visit turkey and be trained in handling these cases," she said.

President Museveni recently called on East African countries to join efforts to fight terrorist forces in the region following the attack on Garissa University in Kenya by Al Shabaab.

Yauzalp pledged to see that some of the Uganda police personnel would be trained in counter-terrorism in Turkey.  She commended police for working together with her government to allow the training to be carried out.
 

Turkish Ambassador to Uganda, Sedef Yauzalp (3rd L) and Asistant Inspector General of Police in charge of special duties, Andrew Sorowen (4th L) pose for a group photo at the closing of the traffic management course at Mamerito Hotel, Bweyogerere on April 10, 2015. PHOTO/Nicholas Kajoba

Police traffic officer James Wakooli, speaking on behalf of his colleagues, said that the training has equipped them with more knowledge on inspection of accident scenes, defensive driving skills and materials used in road accidents.

Wakooli said that there's need to improve on pedestrians crossing marks and have  the road safety campaign rejuvenated in the media. He said that most of the boda boda riders do not have driving permits because of the tedious acquisition process.

The Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of special duties, Andrew Sorowen hailed the Turkish government for training Uganda Police traffic officers.

Sorowen said that the officers are well equipped with knowledge on traffic supervision and management.