A select group of 20 police officers has begun a rigorous five-day United Nations pre-deployment training, setting the stage for their upcoming peacekeeping mission in the volatile region of South Sudan.
The training kicked off yesterday (September 30, 2025) at the Uganda Police Force’s ICT Research and Innovation Centre in Kikandwa, where officers are being equipped with the tactical, legal, and diplomatic tools required to operate in one of Africa’s most conflict-ridden zones.
Overseen by the Peace Support Operations department of the Uganda Police Force (UPF), the program marks a critical step in preparing Uganda’s peacekeeping contingent to meet the challenges of conflict stabilization and civilian protection under the UN mandate.
Commanding the mission preparations is Commissioner of Police Polly Namaye, who heads the UPF’s Peace Support Operations. In her address to the trainees, she delivered a stern reminder about the weight of the badge beyond Uganda’s borders.
“Exhibit professionalism and discipline when executing your duties on the mission exercise,” Namaye urged, emphasizing the high expectations that come with representing Uganda on the international peacekeeping stage.
She went on to underscore the need for unity and collaboration among the officers, qualities she described as non-negotiable in hostile environments where peacekeeping forces often serve as the final line between chaos and fragile calm.
“Adopt the spirit of unity and teamwork amongst yourselves to ensure successful mission operations,” she added.
South Sudan, where the officers are headed, remains one of the most complex and dangerous UN postings in the region. Ravaged by years of civil war, political instability, and ethnic violence, the country has become a crucible for peacekeeping forces tasked with protecting civilians, rebuilding security institutions, and supporting humanitarian efforts.
Uganda’s contribution to the mission underscores its growing role as a regional peacekeeping power, with its officers consistently deployed to global hotspots under the UN and African Union flags.
As the countdown to deployment begins, the officers are expected to undergo intensive training modules ranging from human rights law and crowd control to gender sensitivity and conflict resolution, all vital for navigating the tense and often unpredictable terrain of peace enforcement.
The five-day training may be brief, but its stakes are immense. For these 20 officers, Kikandwa is just the beginning. The real test awaits on the battle-scarred streets of South Sudan.
