Participants in the ongoing Command and Staff course at the National Police College in Musanze continued their study tour in Uganda on Wednesday with a focus on issues of governance and policy formation.

The third of the week-long tour, focused on enhancing practical knowledge in governance towards peace building and conflict transformation while laying foundation to socio-economic development.

The one-year course, which offers a Master’s degree in Peace Studies and Conflict Transformation, includes both internal and external study tours.

The officers, on the third day, visited the Prime Minister’s office where they were briefed on the disaster preparedness, conflict and past-conflict resolution in Uganda.

Through a presentation, they were also explained on the country’s historical background including post independence conflicts and their impact on the socio-economic status of the state.

They were informed on the policies in place to deal with “human induced hazards” resulting, mainly, from power struggles and natural disasters.

The officers also visited Uganda’s parliament, where they interacted with the committee on Defence and Internal Affairs on its role on peace and security in Uganda.

They also visited the ministry of Local Government and Information Communication Technology (ICT) where they were explained on the decentralization process and the contribution of IT in social economic development of the country.

Cyber system was presented as a tool but also as a threat, if police remain behind in managing the system.

The officers had on the second day visited the Uganda National Planning Authority, Uganda Industrial Research Institute and the Engineering and Technology Department of Makerere University.

At Makerere, participants witnessed how the university moved from research to making an electric vehicle. The university is now making a bus slated to be completed before the end of the year. The department also produces “MakaPads” a natural feminine protection made from papyrus instead of the imported tampons.

The course, which started last year, combines strategic command and leadership component, Police Routine and Operation Staff Work.

It brings together 28 senior officers from Burundi, Uganda, Tanzania, Djibouti, Zambia, Kenya, Somalia, Ghana, South Sudan, Sudan and the host, Rwanda.