Uganda Defence Underscore Role of Civilians in Peace Support Operations 

The Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs Commissioner Human Resource, Mr. Cox Anguzu Alfred, has underscored the critical role of the civilian component in peace support operations. 

“Even if it is a struggle that has a military problem, it can never succeed unless you have the civilians who can support you,” he said. 

Mr. Anguzu was speaking on behalf of Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Rosette Byengoma, at the opening of the 10th African Standby Capacity Coordination meeting that was held today at Skyz Hotel, Kampala.

The Commissioner said that the aim of the meeting is to provide a platform for ASC stakeholders to meet and discuss the operation matters of the roster, and challenges in implementing the requirements of the roster. 

Consideration of the integration of human resource systems, and rotation of officers at the regional level which call for the need for planning of refresher and induction training of new personnel.

“When you have an effective rostering system, you recruit the right people, at the right time into the right positions and deploy them appropriately,” said Mr. Anguzu underlining that the roster will be used as a tool to beef up the recruitment system so as to generate and enhance the civilian capability by the African Standby Capacity.

Mr. Anguzu further said that through the efforts of the African Union Secretariat and its partner institution, the African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Dispute (ACCORD), the African Continent has a functional civilian roster that focuses on building and enhancing the capabilities of civilian experts towards peace support operations.

In a speech that was delivered on her behalf by Irene King’ori from the Eastern African Standby Force, the EASF Head of Civilian Component, Dr Leah Barasa underscored the importance of the meeting towards the development of the ASC roster, accessibility and human resource policy framework on the recruitment of civilians.

Dr. Barasa thanked the African Union’s strategic leadership for providing a platform to advance the accessibility of the African Standby Capacity Roster and a recruitment policy that enables the rapid deployment of civilians to peace operations.

The meeting that is running from the 27th – the 30th of June 2023 is being attended by representatives from Regional Economic Communities and Mechanisms.