Family Protection: Key Stakeholders Validate Groundbreaking Police Training Curriculum to Combat Violence in Uganda

By Amos Ssemuwemba

The Uganda Police Force is set to enhance its capacity in family protection and combatting gender-based violence with the development of a new training curriculum. A two-day validation workshop, currently underway at Kabila Country Club, has gathered 60 key stakeholders from government ministries, civil society, academia, and international partners, including UNICEF and UNFPA. The event is supported by the Embassy of Sweden in Uganda and the International Development Law Organization (IDLO).

Speaking at the event, CP Hilary Kulayige, Deputy Director of the Chief Political Commissariat, emphasized the importance of stakeholder input in refining the materials. “The contributions from everyone here will ensure that the training tools are comprehensive and effective in shaping how officers respond to family-related matters,” Kulayige stated. He also highlighted the significance of the initiative in strengthening family protection and its role in promoting national development.

The workshop’s primary goal is to finalize the Curriculum and Training Manual, alongside the Trainers’ Guide for the Child and Family Protection Induction Course. These resources are designed to equip police officers with specialized skills to address family-related issues, particularly in cases involving Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and Violence Against Children (VAC).

The collaboration reflects a shared commitment to improving police response to GBV and VAC, with the finalized materials expected to play a vital role in ensuring that vulnerable groups receive the support and protection they need. As the workshop progresses, participants will offer their feedback to ensure the training curriculum is relevant to the real-life challenges officers’ face.