The Uganda Police, the Internal Security Organization (ISO), and other security agencies have trained Muslim leaders around Kampala on prevention and countering terrorism in Uganda within the legal parameters.
This was said at the Golf Course hotel in Kampala, at the closing of a two-day training for Muslim leaders to combat and prevent violent extremism and terrorism in Uganda.
The Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Thomas Jatiko, said that no one is born a terrorist, but it’s something that is fueled by some self-seeking individuals who lure and radicalize people to get involved in acts that undermine the state.
However, he added that prevention and countering violent extremism are possible within a legal framework that includes international law and human rights law that prohibit terrorism.
According to Jatiko, the fight against terrorism should not be left to only the government but be a collective endeavor between the government and the citizenry through available statutes.
SCP Lydia Kantono cautioned women against participating in terrorism, citing that women are potential recruits for terrorist groups. She added that women and girls may be impacted by violent extremism quite differently from their male counterparts.
“Due to such gender dynamics, it’s important that women are involved in the Countering Violence Extremism (CVE) programmes,” Kantono said.
She said that leaders should ensure that women and youths are properly equipped with the knowledge to counter and prevent extremist ideology and hold conferences within the communities that can contribute to promoting peace in the country.
The training is being attended by leaders from the Office of the Supreme Mufti, the Office of the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council, the Office of the Director General of ISO, the Office of the President, the Directorate of Counter-Terrorism of Police, and other members of sister security organs. It is aimed at training over 100 selected Moslem leaders across the various sects in Kampala to augment their involvement as ambassadors in prevention and countering violent extremism.
