The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
By Stephen Kafeero
In a move to strengthen the cooperation between the German and Uganda Police in the fight against international terrorism and organized crime, the Uganda Police has today received a contingent of 4 vehicles and other communication equipment from the Federal Republic of Germany to support the Forensic Service Department.
The vehicles were handed over to AIGP Andrew Soroweni who represented the Inspector General of Police (IGP) by the Charge d’Affaires of the German Embassy in Uganda, Joachim Duster and the BKA Police Liaison Officers.
Also in attendance was the director of the Criminal Investigations and Intelligence Directorate (CIID) Grace Akullo and other senior officers in the Police force.
The Germany envoy emphasized the need for Police to respect human rights but also engage in their duty to protect the rights of other people. “The fight against international terrorism, piracy, organized crime but also every day crime remains the essential tasks of the security authorities throughout the world while respecting human rights and fundamental freedoms. Therefore international cooperation is crucial,” he said.
The handover of the cars and equipment is an integral part of a large cooperation project between Germany’s Federal Criminal Police office (BKA) and the Ugandan law enforcement agencies.
Soroweni said that government of Uganda is committed to the professionalization of the police. “We need a well-trained CIID which is well equipped to detect and counter crime,” he said. He also emphasized the duty of the police to sensitize people on crime scene management.
The Director CIID Grace Akullo thanked the government of the Federal Republic of Germany for the support it has accorded the department in such fields like fighting cybercrime and narcotics. “Uganda used to be a transit for drugs but now it has become a destination and we need to fight it,” she said.
Uwe Kopei the Police liaison officer at the German embassy said that transnational crime is affecting Germany and it is the reason that they are providing the equipment to Uganda to counter it.
