Ugandan Formed Police personnel saluted for service to Somalia

The unit personnel also supported the transformation of the Somali Police Force into an effective and credible institution that adheres to international policing standards.

Ambassador Francisco Madeira, the Special Representative of the Chairperson of the AU Commission (SRCC) for Somalia, hands over a certificate to a police officer during a medal award ceremony for Ugandan Formed Police Unit personnel serving under AMISOM, to mark the end of their tour of duty in Somalia.

Mogadishu - On 30 July, Ambassador Francisco Madeira commended AMISOM Police for their dedication to duty, commitment to the mission and selfless service to the people of Somalia. Ambassador Madeira officiated at a medal award ceremony for 160 Formed Police Unit (FPU) officers from Uganda who completed a year-long tour of duty under AMISOM. “Members of this unit have been exemplary, diligent, committed and dedicated in selfless service to humanity and attainment of peace in Somalia.

In this regard, AMISOM extends hearty congratulations to the officers— men and women—of this unit,” Ambassador Madeira said. While on deployment in Somalia, the unit personnel secured key government installations, carried out explosives disposal, secured Mogadishu, manned vehicle checkpoints, conducted joint patrols with Somali Police Force (SPF) and supported SPF through mentoring, advising, recruitment and recruit training. The unit personnel also supported the transformation of the Somali Police Force into an effective and credible institution that adheres to international policing standards.

Ambassador Madeira further said that in implementing the Somali

“I am impressed by the professionalism, bravery and discipline of these officers from Uganda. To serve as peacekeepers in a hostile environment like Somalia calls for individual sacrifice and tenacity.”

Transition Plan—an important roadmap to the eventual handover of managing peace and security to Somali’s own security forces—AMISOM will ensure that capacity and professionalism is built to help Somali security forces to assume security responsibilities by the end of AMISOM’s mandate.

The Acting AMISOM Police Commissioner, Rex Dundun, said the outgoing unit had offered professional support and their contribution towards pacification of Somalia was noteworthy. “I am impressed by the professionalism, bravery and discipline of these officers from Uganda. To serve as peacekeepers in a hostile environment like Somalia calls for individual sacrifice and tenacity.”

The outgoing contingent commander of Uganda Formed Police Unit, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Richard Evans Onyait, said the contingent offered round-theclock support to enable the Somali Police extend authority in liberated areas.