PRESS RELEASE
(For immediate release)
AMISOM decorates Ugandan Formed Police Officers
Mogadishu: May 30th, 2013: The African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) has today awarded medals to members of the Ugandan Contingent of its Formed Police for outstanding performance during a parade ceremony held at the Somali Police Transport Department Headquarters in Mogadishu.140 officers of the Uganda Formed Police Unit serving under AMISOM were awarded with medals by the Chief Administrative Officer, Colonel Timothy Kiguti (rtd) on behalf of the Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (SRCC) for Somalia,Ambassador Mahamat Saleh Annadif.
On behalf of the SRCC and the entire AU Commission, Colonel Kiguti (rtd) expressed satisfaction with the performance of the officers, men and women of the Ugandan Formed Police Unit. “This award ceremony is in recognition of the commitment and hard work that you have displayed during your tour of duty with AMISOM Police Component.” He said.
The Uganda Formed Police officers were deployed in Somalia under AMISOM on August 1st last year and became the first Formed Police Contingent to be deployed in the history of the African Union peacekeeping efforts. Since its deployment which was later followed by another unit from Nigeria, the police component of AMISOM registered tremendous achievements towards the implementation of its mandate. Such achievements include; the conduct of 24hour joint patrols with the Somali Police Force, regular joint operations, increased mentoring activities for the Somali Police Force, enhanced training activities, provision of security escorts to AMISOM, UN and other VIPs. The 140 officers will end their tour of duty in July this year and will be replaced by another Formed Police Unit.
The Mayor of the City of Mogadishu, Mr. Mahamoud Nur, commended the medal recipients for their dedication to peace and security in Somalia saying “AMISOM Police has done a good job for this country and this city in particular. It’s a great day for us to be present at this medal parade as recognition of your commitment and sacrifice for Somalia.”
Speaking on behalf of the Somali Police Commissioner, the Director of SPF Criminal Investigation Directorate thanked the commendable work done by AMISOM Police in helping towards the maintenance of peace and security in Mogadishu.
Apart from two Formed Units each comprising 140 officers, AMISOM Police has 166 Individual Police Officers drawn from Ghana, Sierra Leone, Nigeria and Uganda. In his remarks, Acting AMISOM Police Commissioner, Mr. Benson Oyo Nyeko said the AU Police is expected to roll out its activities to all the four AMISOM sectors of Mogadishu, Kisimayo, Baidoa and Belet Wyne.
——————————————————————————————————————————
For more information, please Contact;
Mr. Eloi Yao, Senior Public Information Officer and Spokesperson, E-mail: amisommediacentre@gmail.com
–
Public Information Unit
African Union Mission for Somalia (AMISOM)
P.O. Box 20182 – 00200,
Nairobi, KENYA
Telephone : +254 20 7216227
Fax :+254 20 2713766
Visit: www.amisom-au.org
Use Facebook to Comment on this Post
