Rwanda: Govt, Uganda to Cooperate in Fighting Terrorism

BY FRED NDOLI, 27 APRIL 2012
The police forces of Rwanda and Uganda have agreed to embark on combating emerging crimes, especially in the areas of terrorism, that have been affecting the safety and security of the citizens of both countries.

The resolve was made yesterday during the signing of an agreement on bilateral cooperation between the two institutions.

According to officials from the two police institutions, both countries are faced with the same challenges of negative forces and emerging crimes.

The agreement was signed between Rwanda's Commissioner General of Police, Emmanuel Gasana and Lt. Gen. Kale Kayihura, Inspector General of Uganda Police.

The two police chiefs and their senior officers agreed to develop mutual assistance in tracking, arresting and repatriating suspects.

It is believed that some suspects who took part in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi are hiding in Uganda.

Addressing the media, Kayihura said the MoU they signed involved agreements on tracking fugitives in both countries.

"We have tackled the fugitive issue and it is among the priorities that we have agreed to combat," said Kayihura.

To undertake this, both police forces agreed to improve channels of communication and share timely information on the suspects.

Among other resolutions that were reached included joint efforts to fight money laundering and cyber crimes at the borders.

In January, Rwanda's Police Financial Investigation Unit (FIU) intercepted about Rwf 714 million at Kigali International Airport in less than a month, which was either being brought in or taken out of the country under suspicious circumstances.

And according to a survey conducted by Deloitte last year, banks in Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, Tanzania and Zambia lose $245 million in cyber fraud.

Gasana, who currently heads the Eastern African Police body (EAPCO), said the two institutions have been trying to evaluate the implementation mechanisms to combat security threats in the region.

"We are doing our best to come up with better mechanisms to deal with these emerging threats," said Gasana.

Source http://allafrica.com/stories/201204270062.html