Report: 168 more join force of 2,000 Ugandan 'security contractors' in Iraq

Above: Triple Canopy 'security contractors' at a protest in Baghdad in 2006. Triple Canopy also has employees from Latin American countries. The company says of itself: "Founded in 2003, Triple Canopy delivers security and protection solutions to governments and private corporations worldwide. The company integrates security solutions to secure success for its clients. Triple Canopy's services include assessment and analysis, crisis management, training and full-scale security and protection operations... Triple Canopy currently deploys highly-trained teams to provide defense and security solutions in high-risk countries such as Iraq."

More Ugandans joined the Iraq gold rush for better pay as another batch of 169 Ugandans has left for the war-torn country as security guards early this week.

The batch left Uganda following a deal between Connect Financial Services, a Ugandan firm and Triple Canopy, a U.S. firm. They will be deployed in the Iraq capital Baghdad.

Connect Financial managing director Kenneth Onekalit was quoted by state-owned New Vision on Thursday saying that the contingent would be in Iraq for one year.

"Their contract is for one year but they could be renewed," he said.

So far, over 2,000 Ugandans have been contracted to work as security guards in Iraq.

Onekalit was, however, tight-lipped on how much each would earn per month. The earlier group is earning about 1.6 million Ugandan shillings (about 1,000 dollars) each per month.

He said those destined for Iraq will undergo military training before embarking on their duties. "They need to learn how to handle certain weapons. Our company was not involved in that."

They would also received training in rules of engagement, how to react to various security threats and information about Iraq before their departure.

He said the guards had to be aged 21 and above and should have been properly discharged from the army, prisons or the police.

"They were vetted by the various security agencies in the country," he said.

Onekalit's firm has so far sent over 830 Ugandans to Iraq. About 500 more are undergoing training and will soon leave.

Over the past two years, Ugandans in Iraq have remitted about 2 million U.S. dollars to Uganda.

Read the rest at Peoples Daily

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