By As schools across Uganda reopened this week for the third term, police have issued fresh safety and security guidelines for parents, schools, and financial institutions to ensure the well-being of learners and the smooth running of the education season.
Addressing journalists on Monday, Police spokesperson ACP Kituuma Rusoke highlighted concerns ranging from child safety and school security to financial transactions associated with school fees payments.
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Police appealed to commercial banks to tighten security in and around their premises during the school fees rush to ward off fraudsters and conmen. Rusoke advised banks to encourage the use of alternative payment methods such as mobile money, digital wallets, and online banking to reduce risks linked to over-the-counter cash transactions and congestion in banking halls.
Parents were also cautioned against acts of negligence, including allowing children to travel to school without proper adult supervision. Rusoke urged them to ensure that those accompanying the children are trustworthy. He further warned parents to check the contents of children’s luggage, noting that some students have been caught carrying drugs, alcohol, weapons, and distracting gadgets to school. He added that it was important for parents to inform school authorities about the medical history of children with chronic conditions to avoid emergencies.
For school administrators, police emphasized the need to inspect pupils’ belongings during admission and to establish strict procedures for the dropping off and picking up of children. Rusoke noted that in many cases, parents or guardians provide incomplete personal details, such as a single name or insufficient contact information, making investigations difficult in case of incidents.
The statement further called on schools to maintain safe learning environments by addressing hazards such as open manholes, dilapidated latrines, and old classroom blocks. Schools were also urged to keep functional fire extinguishers and to train both staff and students in their use.
Rusoke underscored that the safety of the school environment is of paramount importance and requires the combined vigilance of parents, educators, financial institutions, and the police. “By working together, we can protect our children and provide them with a safe, secure, and supportive environment to pursue their education,” he said.
