Police to start minerals unit

Uganda Police Force is to start Police Minerals Protection Unit besides Land Protection Unit. 

According to Police spokesperson, Asan Kasingye, the unit will be handling issues such as illegal mining, unsafe mining methods and environmental protection.

Asked whether it will not duplicate the work of Environment Police and NEMA, Kasingye said the minerals unit will deal with unsafe mining and environmental degradation and that its primary objective is safe mining.

"This will be different from lands unit and its major objective will be safe mining. The unit was approved by the Inspector General of Police, Gen. Kale Kayihura and the appointed officer must be putting forward her programme of action," Kasingye said.

It is said that Jessica Keigomba, who has been working as Interpol liaison officer at Entebbe Airport is the new head of the unit, which is in the meantime based at the department of minerals.