Police in the eastern Africa region are to carry out a joint operation with their counterparts in southern African block in a bid to counter transnational crime.
Internal Affairs minister Onek (left) and Police Chief Kayihura (centre) follow keenly a mock drill by the police during the joint field training exercise at Namboole. Photo by Denis Dibele
Police Chief Lt. Gen. Kale Kayihura, who also doubles as the chairman of the Eastern Africa Police Chiefs Cooperation Organization (EAPCCO) said preparatory meetings have already been held with the Southern African Regional Police Chiefs Co-Operation Organisation (SARPCCO), a body that brings together 15 member states.
“We (EAPCCO) are going to conduct joint operations with SARPCCO. The meetings to enable the operation were held in January in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania,” Kayihura said.
Speaking at the opening of the Chief of Police Council (CPC) meeting of 15th extra ordinary meeting of EAPCCO, Kayihura said the joint operation will target four transnational crimes, with the view of dismantling regional criminal networks.
“We will target trafficking in humans and people smuggling, drug trafficking, motor vehicle theft and illicit proliferation of small arms and light weapons,” he said at the Kampala Serena hotel, adding that many crime have become transnational in nature.
Police chiefs or some of their representatives from 12 member states are attending the extra ordinary meeting to discuss the pending issues of joint operation, membership contribution, trafficking in humans and mutual legal assistance.
On the issue of transnational crime, Kayihura cited the Sunday twin attacks in Mogadishu and the lone attack in Arusha, Tanzania, saying police had also intercepted intelligence of a planned terror attack on Uganda and Burundi by an Al-Shabaab cell.
“On that we have made some arrests and we are questioning them,” Kayihura said but declined to divulge any other details.
Speaking at the same event internal affairs Minister Hillary Onek hailed the cooperation between the police in member states saying it was timely, particularly in light on the continuous terror threats which he said are real.
“I believe in you or police chiefs that we will deter any of these attacks and where there are attacks we will have them arrested and prosecuted,” Onek said.
Onek also launched a joint field training exercise on counter terrorism, attended by police from 12 member states, aimed at shoring their ability to respond and deal with incidents of terrorism.
The team also carried out a mock drill at Namboole, simulating a real terror attack to gauge their ability to respond in the process, blocking roads and diverting traffic causing an afternoon traffic jam.
Internal affairs ministers or ministers in charge of the police from the member states begin meeting today (Tuesday) to adopt resolutions of the CPC.
By Steven Candia, The New Vision
