The Uganda police force has partnered with the European Union and the Office of the Prime Minister to boost security and safety in the Karamoja sub-region by equipping officers and posts.

Under the Development Initiative for Northern Uganda (DINU), a project supervised by the OPM, they will construct seven police posts and staff quarters in the districts of Abim, Amudat, Karenga, Kotido, Moroto,Napak and Nakapiripirit.

The facilities will be fully furnished with with an administration block, four self contained cells to replace the bucket system, and bore holes to provide safe water for suspects and officers. All police units will also be equipped with two motorcycles to transport police officers while on official duty.

During the occasion the Police headquarters in Naguru, Keith Muhakanizi the Permanent Secretary at the OPM said this development will ensure visibility of police officers and promote peace in Karamoja.

“I am happy to report that the selection of the police sites was carefully done to consider economic times and security concerns in the locations.These posts will also ensure security for traders and movement of goods and services in Karamoja,” he said.

Nadia Canata, the head of sustainable development at the European Union mission in Uganda said the donation will garantee total stability returns to Karamoja.

‘We are aware that security and stability are preconditions for social and economic development for the sub-region. For this reason, over the years we have continued to support the UPF to fulfil its mandate to protect the communities,” she said

DINU is a 150.6 million Euros government project  initiated in 2017 supervised by the OPM and supported by the European Union aimed at consolidating stability in Northern Uganda, eradicate poverty and under-nutrition and strengthen the foundations for sustainable and inclusive socio-economic development.

She also called for appropriate use of equipment and infrastructure to ensure beneficiaries get the best out of them.

The Inspector General of Police, Martins Okoth Ochola hailed the European union for efforts in boosting security.

“The UPF would like to thank the European Union and the OPM for continuously supporting the police over the years, especially the Karamoja Sub region. The intervention has greatly enabled the UPF to have tremendous acheivements as far as enforcement of law is concerned,” he said.