Uganda - IOM has formally handed over a facility for training immigration officers, to the Government of Uganda. The Immigration Training Academy in the central district of Nakasongola was built by IOM, as part of the USD 1.8 million project, Strengthening Border Security in Uganda, funded by the Government of Japan.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony earlier this month, the Prime Minister of Uganda, Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda, said: “The establishment of the Academy is a timely addition to government efforts to combat transnational crimes, which include terrorism, human trafficking and irregular migration.”

After cutting the ribbon and signing the visitors’ book, Dr. Rugunda toured the facility. He was accompanied by the State Minister of Internal Affairs, Obiga Mario Kania; the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Dr. Benon Mutambi; the UN Resident Coordinator, Rosa Malango; the Japanese Ambassador to Uganda, Kazuaki Kameda; the IOM Uganda Chief of Mission, Ali Abdi, and other senior officials from the central and local governments.

The Academy will cater for the training needs of the Directorate of Citizenship and Immigration Control (DCIC) of Uganda and possibly other government institutions. Moreover, the Government of Uganda intends to invite other countries in the region to train at this facility particularly on issues of immigration and border control.

With a residential capacity of 50 trainees, the solar-powered facility sits on three acres of land which will allow trainings that require an extended outdoor space, such as border patrolling. The Academy was designed to allow for future expansion that would ensure that it can host up to 300 trainees. Presently it comprises an administration block, training hall, two dormitories, a kitchen shed, staff quarters, as well as three latrine blocks and boreholes. The hall includes a training room specifically for the Migration Information and Data Analysis System (MIDAS). MIDAS is an electronic traveller registration system developed by IOM and is currently operational in eight border crossing points in Uganda.

Abdi told guests: “Comprehensive and continuous training is necessary to ensure that immigration officials can carry out their duties in accordance with international standards. We are confident that this Academy will help DCIC achieve this goal.”

The UN Resident Coordinator, Rosa Malango, highlighted that this Academy and IOM’s work in Uganda contributes to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). To achieve reduced inequality (SDG 10), it is necessary to facilitate orderly, safe, regular and responsible migration and mobility of people, including through the implementation of planned and well-managed migration policies.

For his part, Ambassador Kameda placed the training academy in the context of the Nairobi Declaration adopted at the Sixth Tokyo International Conference on African Development which took place in the Kenyan capital in August 2016. He said the Academy would help boost the Government’s capacity to tackle radicalization, terrorism and armed conflict, three of the challenges identified in the Nairobi Declaration.

For further information please contact Richard Mulindwa Kavuma, IOM Uganda. Tel: +256 312 263 210. Email: rmkavuma@iom.int