US looks to improve Ugandan peacekeeping

The Peace Operations Training Centre in Singo already has a MOUT training site made of largely shipping containers, seen here in October 2017, when US marines trained the UPDF’s Battle Group 24 before it deployed to Somalia. (15th Marine Expeditionary Unit)

The US Department of State (DoS) is looking for contractors to train Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF) personnel deploying on peacekeeping missions as well as build a new training facility, according to recent notices published via the System for Award Management website.

A request for information (RFI) released by the US DoS on 9 May noted that the UPDF currently contributes more than seven combined arms battalions (6,070 personnel) to the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) as well as a small guard battalion to the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM).

It said it was seeking contractors that can “build the UPDF’s capacity to prepare, deploy, and sustain effective peacekeeping forces in support of UN-mandated tasks” under its Global Peace Operations Initiative.