Head teachers ask for government support

By Darious Magara

Heads of Kampala schools have asked the Government to give them concessions to acquire security equipment to fight terrorism.

A survey carried out by New Vision  showed that many schools lack security gadgets.

Nabbingo buys sniffer dog
The head teacher of Trinity College Nabbingo, Nakate Kikomeko, said on top of their security equipment, they had ordered for a sniffer dog.

“We have ordered for a sniffer dog. This will supplement the security measures we have in place to fi ght terrorism, fi res and robberies,” she added.

She said they have armed guards and have got security equipment to check visitors. The school has a perimeter wall and all gates are guarded. It is also training the guards and students in security monitoring and response.

“Students have just fi nished their drills meant to detect terror, fi re and fight them so we are very prepared,” she added, and asked the Government to support them financially to buy more security equipment and fi x CCTV cameras.

St. Lawrence, Horizon Campus gets sirens, CCTV cameras
The deputy principal of St. Lawrence Citizen High School, Horizon Campus, Josephine Nabende, said they have armed guards who monitor the school campus.

She said they have installed sirens that are used to call students to assembly points in case of any emergency.

“But we do not have enough gadgets to check visitors. We ask government for support,” she said.
She added that they have sensitised students on the terrorism threats. Gayaza calls for tax waiver on security equipment.

The head teacher of Gayaza Junior School, Margaret Kibuuka, said they had trained their security team and the pupils but need more security equipment.

“We ask the Government to subsidise the price of the security equipment since it is needed but expensive. The school cannot foot the bill singlehandedly,” she said. Kibuuka said on top of their private security guards, they have now added on a Police team to tighten their security.

“We have told our pupils, teaching and non-teaching staff to be alert in relation to terrorism by reporting any suspicious characters in our community,” she explained.

Seroma High acquires metal detectors, radio-call system
The deputy head teacher of Seroma Christian High School, Stephen Kayanja, said they have metal detectors, a radio call for communication and had sensitised the students to be terror-alert.

He said they cannot easily check all visitors on special days because they lack enough equipment. He added that they need walk-through machines which can check many people quickly.

“We ask the Government to help us purchase all the required security machinery needed in guarding our school. These facilities are expensive,” he noted.

Kayanja also said they have limited the students movements out of the school and all visitors are recorded at the gate and monitored within the compound.

Kings College Budo trains guards, LDUs
The head teacher, Patrick Bakka Male, said they have trained their security team which comprises the Police, guards, local defence personnel and some members of the community on ways to fi ght terrorism.

“Our students want to form security clubs where they can practice spying and other security skills for use at school and in their communities to fight terrorism and related crimes,” he added.

City Parents puts more teachers on duty

The head teacher of City Parent’s School, Martin Isagala, said he had increased teachers on duty to monitor the school. He said the school security team has Police personnel and private guards.

Isagala said he has advised pupils to be quick while moving to their parents’ vehicles while being dropped or picked from school and those using public means not to stay long in taxi parks and other congested areas.