Bruce Munyambo, a commissioner at Rwanda National Police, has assumed his duties as the new Police Commissioner (D2) of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).

He took over yesterday, replacing Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIGP) Fredrick Yiga from Uganda, who has completed his tour of duty.

In his handover speech, Yiga thanked all police officers who worked with him during his tenure, the UN and the Government of South Sudan, and also wished his successor "all the best.”

In his acceptance speech, Munyambo pledged commitment to build on the success of his predecessor, to further ensure that the force delivers to the best of its mandate expectations.

"With other experienced officers around me, no doubt will add value to our mandate. I urge all UNMISS police officers to work together and ensure we actively fulfill our mission,” said Munyambo.

Munyambo was appointed by UN Secretary-General after he was seconded by the Government of Rwanda.

He becomes the second Rwandan officer to be appointed as ‘Police Commissioner’ with Vianney Nshimiyimana currently heading the United Nations Operations in Ivory Coast (UNOCI).

Munyambo takes over a mission that is composed of a big number of Rwandan police peacekeepers, including Emmanuel Butera – also the current UNMISS – police Chief of Operations, while Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Rogers Rutikanga serves as the contingent commander of the Formed Police Unit (FPU) composed of 170 police officers.

Munyambo, who has vast experience in policing both internationally and at home was the Commissioner for Operations and Public Order at the time of his appointment and previously served as the Commandant of Police Training School (PTS) Gishari and headed the department of Logistics in Rwanda National Police, among others.

His UN peacekeeping experience includes serving as Individual Police Officer (IPO) in Liberia as well as the contingent commander of Rwanda Formed Police Unit (RWFPU) under the United Nations Stabilisation Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH).

Meanwhile, Rwanda National Police is in the process of deploying more 96 officers to South Sudan, with 70 serving as FPU additional force while 26 others are Individual Police Officers (IPOs).

Currently, RNP maintains a force of about 1000 peacekeepers operating in seven missions.

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