Uganda Police Force has released 23 officers nominated for the United Nations mission in Sudan (UNMISS) for peace keeping and community policing.
UNMISS was established in 2005 to support the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, protection, promotion of human rights, and to support African Union Mission in Sudan.
Speaking in at Naguru police headquarters, Assistant Inspector General of police (AIGP) Grace Turyagumanawe cautioned officers to observe integrity, professionalism, and respect for diversity for completion of their tasks.
He said it’s imperative to respect and tolerate other people’s beliefs, behavior, and other diversities noting that international policing officers come into contact with many people from various backgrounds.
“be patriotic with a strong spirit of nationalism for your country, avoid rumours as they are bound to distract and compromise your work ethics, don’t engage in acts of corruption, and other illicit activities, they may compromise your performances,” he cautioned them.
He warned them against sexual abuse and exploitation saying such acts will lead to their prosecution and dismissal from the mission.
Turyagumanawe in a parental tone shared with the officers many scenarios on how missions have had negative effects for individual officers and their families yet these were opportunities that were misused, abused or missed. He rallied them to tap into those opportunities that will enable them grow professionally, giving them an economic edge over others that haven’t yet enjoyed the opportunity of serving in the mission.
“Have a plan for this mission, share it with your spouses, make sure that this mission will build and strengthen your families because of the financial aspect in it and the opportunities embedded therein,” he said.
The contingent commander Assistant Commissioner of Police John Cohen Arinaitwe pledged to lead his team and accomplish tasks ahead of him successfully. The team will set off on September 9, 2018 for a one year mission on South Sudan.
Police spokesperson Emilian Kayima, urged them to learn to document their journey, write a will as a blue print in case you die in the mission. He consequently asked them to plan well when it comes to investment, looking at purchasing of land as a good investment yet it’s riddled with many smart fraudsters.