Thirty-two law enforcement officers on Friday, June 25 graduated from the National Police College in Musanze District.

The senior officers, who come from Rwanda and four other African countries, completed a one-year Police Command and Senior Staff Course.

They include 25 from Rwandan law enforcement institutions (National Police, Rwanda Investigation Bureau and Rwanda Correction Services) and seven from Somalia, Kenya, South Sudan and Namibia.

"It is a fact beyond contestation that peace, security, governance, justice and development are interlinked and interdependent," Johnston Busingye, said the Minister of Justice who presided over the ceremony.

"I cannot emphasize enough the need to have highly trained, professional, human rights abiding and disciplined law enforcement officers. They will combine strategic command aspects and a full understanding of national, regional and global peace and security dynamics that allow them to respond to any challenge."

He added that the program fosters international cooperation in crime prevention.

The one-year program, which combines a master’s degree in peace and conflict management, and strategic leadership and management training, was organized by the National Police College (NPC) and the University of Rwanda.

Professor Alexandre Lyambabaje, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Rwanda said the program will improve the officers' professionalism.

"While the personal skills that come with your increased capacity will stand you in  a much stronger position to positively impact situations you will face, how  you have also grown in attitude and character wise shall determine your professional effectiveness," he added.

Also present at the ceremony were Inspector General of Police (IGP) Dan Munyuza and the Governor of Northern Province Dancilla Nyirarugero.

The graduates, who are the ninth intake of the National Police College, said the past year has been productive.

"The training has equipped all of us with appropriate skills to deal with issues of policing, peace and security. Therefore, we will be able to tackle these issues, and most of all in recognition of the fact that security is the backbone of development in Africa," said Bianca Nzioki from Kenya.

Since 2012, a total of 259 senior law enforcement officers have graduated from the National Police College, with 90 of them from foreign countries.