The East African Community (EAC)National Early Warning center in Uganda has been established at the Internal Security Organization (ISO) in Kampala.
The Permanent Secretary Ministry of East Africa Community Affairs Ms. Edith Mwanje in her speech read by Assistant Commissioner Economic Affairs Annet Kenganzi at the launch today said the establishment and operationalization of the center is a directive by the EAC council of ministers that took place from 19th to 20th 2012 in line with the treaty establishing the East African community.
Ms Mwanje added that the same council meeting directed partner states to establish national early warning centers and provide them with human and financial resources.
She explained that the center in context of peace and security is an organized structure responsible for data collection, analysis and is mandated to collaborate with other agencies and other relevant national and international organizations, research centers to generate information which can be used to advise on peace and security issues.
“The establishment and operationalization of the National Early warning center as directed by council is a great intervention that will help in early notification of danger, potential harm or risk, an institution that will detect and prevent threats from getting real” Said Mwanje.
The Early Warning center will be handling threats like cross border crimes, terrorism, violent extremism and radicalization, proliferation of small arms, drug and human trafficking, money laundering, cyber-crime, motor vehicle theft, cattle rustling, natural disasters, religious tensions, genocide. Disputes and battles over scarce resources and refugee movements.
The Permanent Secretary expressed gratitude to the office of the President and Internal Security Organization (ISO) for remarkable appreciation of a National Early Warning center and offering to host it.
She further revealed that in considering which institution to host the center, two considerations were made in favor of ISO, because of its elaborate organizational structure which escalates up to grassroots level and its singular interest in the EAC peace and security initiatives and activities.
“I am confident that the National Early Warning center in Uganda, under your stewardship dear Director General will run smoothly and as you know the ministry of finance is already aware of this undertaking and as such resources should be availed to support the center”. Mwanje noted.
The team from the Ministry Of East African Community Affairs delivered several IT equipment to be used by the staff in the center’s situation room based at ISO headquarters.
The function was attended by the representatives from the Internal Security Organization (ISO) led by Lt Col Patrice Ajuku who represented the Director General Col Charles Oluka and officials from the Ministry of East African Community Affairs.