DISTRICT POLICE HEADQUARTERS

LYANTONDE POLICE STATION

P.O. BOX 14,
LYANTONDE

Date: 19th April, 2016

Your Ref
The Inspector General of Police
Police Headquarters
P.O. Box 7055
KAMPALA
Attn: Director
Peace Support Operations
RE:REPORT ON THE UNITED NATIONS POLICE OFFICERS COURSE (UNPOC) 4 TH15TH APRIL, 2016 AT HUMANITARIAN PEACE SUPPORT SCHOOL,
NAIROBI KENYA
On 3rd April, 2016 at 1100 hrs, a team of eight (08) Police Officers ,(04) males and (04) females
set off from Entebbe International Airport for Nairobi to attend a two weeks course at
Humanitarian Peace Support School.
We travelled by Rwandair. The flight which was meant to commence at 0900 hrs delayed for
another 02 hrs due to technical issues.

Nonetheless we set off at 1100 hrs and arrived at JKI (Jomo Kenyatta International Airport) at
1200 hrs. On arrival at the Airport, we were picked by a van from HPSS and taken to the school.
We were assigned houses and each one of us was given a room to sleep in.
Day1:
On Monday 4th April 2016, the course begun with a grand opening ceremony which was presided
over by the Deputy Commandant HPSS and the Director East African Standby Force.
We laid down expectations and ground rules which climaxed with an administration brief and
group photograph.
After the opening ceremony we were given a diagnostic test.
Later in the day we were taken through the following topics:
-

Peace Keeping
Fundamental Principles of Peace Keeping Operations
Establishment of a Peace Keeping Operation.

Day 2:
On 5th April 2016, we were walked through the following topics:
- Core Business of the UN Police
- UN PKO Functions
- Community Based Policing
- Mine Awareness
- First Aid
Day 3:
On Wednesday 6th April, 2016 we covered:
-

Road Safety
Monitoring and advising
International Law in Peace Keeping Operations
Stress Management
First Aid

Day 4:
On Thursday 7th April, 2016 we covered the following topics:
-

Working with Mission Partners

Protection of Children
Land Navigation
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Radio Communication
Radio and map exercise ( practicals)
Land Navigation (Field Exercise)

Day 5:
On Friday 8th, 2016, the following topics were covered:
-

Protection of Civilians
Respect for Diversity
United Nations Police and different Legal systems
Women, Peace and Security
Report writing

Day 6:
On Saturday 9th April 2016, the school Administration arranged for a field trip to the capital
Nairobi to visit important sites and places.
Day 7:
On Sunday 10th April 2016, we were allowed to go to church and were also given ample time for
revision and personal administration.
Day 8:
On Monday 11th April 2016, the entire day was dedicated to the 4 x4 driving practice. We were
trained on how to effectively operate and drive 4 wheel drive vehicles. We were also taught
about defensive driving.
Day 9:
On Tuesday 12th April 2016, we covered the following topics:
-

Human Rights Protection

Human Rights Standards in arrest and Detention
Hostage Taking
Navigation, mediation and use of a language Assistant
Human Rights Standards in use of Force and Fire Arms
International Terrorism

Day 10:

Wednesday 13th April 2016, was the most challenging, tantalizing and yet exciting day. It was a
day when all that we had covered in the past one and half (1 ) weeks was put into practice.
The entire day we were engaged into UNPOL field exercises in which we practically covered:
-

Radio Communication
Map reading and map craft
Land Navigation
Working with the Local Police in a Mission Area
First Aid
Community Based Policing
Land mines and VXOs, how to detect them and maneuver through
Human Rights abuse and violations
Hostage taking

Day 11:
On Thursday 14th April 2016 the following topics were covered:
-

Police, Reform, Restructuring and Rebuilding

Safety and Security Health Precaution
HIV/AIDS
Mission Experience
Conduct and Discipline
Final test and course evaluation
Closing dinner

Day 12:
On Friday 15th April 2016, we had the closing ceremony of the course. The Commandant of the
School, COL GM Gitanga was in attendance. The Chief Guest was Ambassador IssmaiChanfi,
the Director East African Standby Force Secretariat.
Departure:
On Saturday 16th April 2016, we left the school at 1200 hrs in a van provided by the school for
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. We checked in and took the 1430 hrs flight by Rwandair.
We arrived at 1545 hrs from where we were picked by a Police van organized by the Directorate
of Peace Support Operations and FTO.
Category of Participants:
The course was attended by 58 participants from 7 members states that is; Uganda, Kenya,
Rwanda, South Sudan, Ethiopia, Burundi and Comoros.
Out of the 58 participants, 26 were female.
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The Ugandan team had the following;

1. SP Kapere Rodgers
2. IP Tumwesigye Geoffrey
3. IP Nababi Oliver
4. AIP Kyakuwaire Betty Monica
5. AIP TurigyeMollen
6. SGT Matenge Sylvester
7. W/SGT Asceto Joyce Immaculate
8. PC Shimanya Charles
All the 08 participants above duly attended and successfully completed the course. They were
very active and disciplined and also excelled in academics. Out team was highly rated by the
facilitators.
Facilitators:
The course had a team of nine (09) committed and professional facilitators from different
countries. Out of the nine, two (2) were Ugandans: ASP Aisha Kayongo and ASP Kyasama P.
Tenywa. The rest were from Denmark, Norway, Ethiopia, Burundi, Rwanda and Kenya.The 07
other facilitators were from HPSS.
The course participants were divided into two classes: A and B and lessons were attended
separately. The mode of teaching was through group work in which various teams were expected
to make presentations at the end of every discussion.
Meals and accommodation:
The meals were sufficient, of good quality, balanced diet and we would have them in time. We
would have breakfast, Break tea, Lunch, evening tea and dinner. The accommodation was
comfortable. Each participant had their own room which was self-contained and hygiene and
cleanliness was utmost.

Course Evaluation:
On the whole, it was a very good and relevant course. The content of the course was not only
relevant to UN/AU Police but also to the ordinary Police Officers during the execution of the
routine duties.
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We found course Units like Community Based Policing, Radio communication, map reading and
land navigation, terrorism, first aid and human rights very relevant and enriching.
The practical aspect of the course (Field exercises) opened our eyes to some of the operational
mistakes we make in the field and they made us learn more.
The facilitators of the course, as aforementioned, were seasoned, very experienced, committed
and professional Officers. They organized the right dose for us and effectively administered it
(in terms of delivery).
Challenges:
-

Whereas participants from other countries were facilitated by their respective countries,
the Ugandan Contingent did not move with any money which made life difficult. For

example we found it difficult to pay for laundry services and other expenses.
We were given only one pair of uniform despite the fact that Commissioner PSO had
requisitioned for two pairs. It was difficult to operate in one uniform given the several

field exercises.
Lack of contingency/miscellaneous fund in case of an emergency. For example when the
flight from Entebbe International Airport delayed due to technical issues.

Recommendations:
-

The team recommended that personnel who are sent out of the country on such courses
be given an out of pocket allowance to facilitate their smooth stay and direct focus on the

course.
It was recommended that at least two pairs of uniform (one being training uniform for
field exercises) and a ceremonial uniform for the opening and closing ceremonies to

always be availed to the participants.

It was also recommended that the home Embassy always be notified of presence of
participants in a particular country so that we keep in touch with each other.

It was observed that Ethiopia and Rwanda participants were constantly in touch with their
Embassies and were even invited for dinner at their embassies upon completion of the course
where as we Ugandans left without even knowing where our embassy is situated.
Conclusion:
The United Nations Police Officers course begun and ended well. The facilitators were very
knowledgeable experienced, committed and effectively and efficiently imparted knowledge
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and skills into us. The course content was carefully and properly tailored to suit the needs
and demands professional and effective policing at National, Regional and International
level. The course left us accomplished Police Officers as we all work: Towards Global
Peace and Stability.

Compiled by,

SP KAPERE RODGERS
DISTRICT POLICE COMMANDER LYANTONDE
(TEAM LEADER)