AG permitted deployment of AU officers

Police Chief Kale Kayihura says the government legal adviser gave him a go ahead to send officers to Somalia.

Police chief Kale Kayihura yesterday told the Defence and Internal Affairs Committee that it was the Attorney General who granted the Force permission to deploy in Somalia.

The committee was tasked by Speaker Rebecca Kadaga to establish under what circumstances the Uganda Police Force was deployed in Somalia.

Although Lt. Gen. Kahiyura acknowledged that the Constitution is silent on police deployments outside the country, he said he went by the AG’s opinion that did not seek permission from Parliament.

The deployments, according to police, are based on the UN charter, which stipulates that to assist in maintaining peace and security in the world, all member states of the UN make available to the Security Council armed forces.

“We consulted the AG and in his opinion, he said there was no requirement to seek the approval of Parliament,” Lt. Gen. Kayihura said.
Up to 140 police officers are deployed in Somalia under the African Union as peacekeepers.

snaturinda@ug.nationmedia.com