Uganda is to deploy a Formed Police Unit (FPU) consisting of 140 personnel in volatile Somalia to maintain peace and security, a police spokesperson said on Tuesday.

Judith Nabakooba, Uganda's deputy police spokesperson, said that the FPU would play a critical role in aiding the Somali Police Force in its efforts to maintain and improve security in the Horn of African country.

"We have been training and preparing that unit (FPU) for deployment in Somalia. They will be leaving very soon for the mission.

"Their work will depend on what is on the ground. However, they will work directly with their Somali counterparts in patrolling, crime prevention, public order and the general restoration of the rule of law," Nabaakoba said.

Asuman Mugyenyi, Uganda's police spokesperson said "the force is now ready. They will play a role in peace-keeping mission,".

Nigerian government will also deploy one FPU consisting of 140 personnel for the same mission in the troubled country.

According Wafula Wamunyinyi, the Deputy Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission for Somalia, FPU is also deployed as a group to undertake crowd control and escort UN personnel visiting insecure regions.

Uganda currently has over 8,000 soldiers under the AU Mission in Somalia to help stabilise and pacify the troubled country from the militants Al-Shabaab.

Xinhua/NAN