The Deputy Inspector General of Police, James Ocaya, has urged officers to effectively apply the skills acquired during a three-week Joint SWAT Training Exercise to strengthen the fight against terrorism and other sophisticated crimes, emphasizing the importance of regional and international cooperation in advancing security.
He made the remarks while addressing a select team of officers drawn from the Uganda Police Force who successfully completed the Joint SWAT Training Exercise held at the Counter Terrorism Training Centre–Mayange in Rwanda.
The training, conducted from 10th to 28th May 2026, brought together 73 officers from seven countries, Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya, Tanzania, Liberia, Seychelles, and the Central African Republic (CAR). The exercise focused on enhancing operational readiness, tactical capabilities, interoperability, and information sharing among participating security agencies.
IGP Ocaya commended the officers for their dedication and professionalism throughout the training and encouraged them to utilize the knowledge and skills gained to effectively respond to evolving security threats.
He noted that terrorism and transnational organized crime continue to pose significant challenges to regional peace and stability, underscoring the need for well-trained personnel and stronger collaboration among security agencies.
The closing ceremony was presided over by Rwanda’s Minister of Interior, Dr. Vincent Biruta, who praised the Joint SWAT Training Exercise for strengthening regional security cooperation, coordination, and trust among security agencies.
Dr. Biruta observed that emerging threats such as terrorism, organized crime, and cybercrime require highly trained and well-coordinated security forces. He called for continued collaboration, partnerships, and capacity-building initiatives to enhance sustainable peace and stability across the region.
The event was attended by the Inspector General of Police of Rwanda, CG Felix Namuhoranye, alongside other Inspectors General of Police, heads of delegations, and senior security officials from participating countries.
The Joint SWAT Training Exercise forms part of ongoing efforts to build the capacity of security agencies to effectively prevent, detect, and respond to complex security threats through joint training, information sharing, and strengthened regional partnerships.This version is structured as a complete news story and avoids incorrectly referring to all participating countries as EAPCCO members.
