Sixteen police officers serving under the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) have been awarded medals for distinguished service in Somalia.

The Individual Police Officers (IPOs) from Uganda, Kenya, Sierra Leone, and Zambia were feted after successfully completing their one-year tour of duty during which they trained, mentored and advised their Somali police counterparts.

AMISOM Police Coordinator for Operations, Deputy Commissioner of Police Ali Gwambal urged them to always uphold professionalism and apply their knowledge and experience in promoting peace and security in the continent.

AMISOM has intensified its training programmes to help develop capacity of the SPF and professionalise the unit as part of the implementation of the Somalia Transition Plan.