<em>CRIME WATCH:</em> Beware of workshop gatecrushers
Aug 06, 2003
ON August 1, Police in Mukono arrested five men who had posed as workshop participants so as to get free allowances and food.
on August 1, Police in Mukono arrested five men who had posed as workshop participants so as to get free allowances and food.
Julius Tumusiime from Kabale, Felix Okecho of Kampala and three others were arrested at Rider Hotel in Seeta when they gatecrashed a workshop for district veterinary officers (DVO)organised by the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal husbandry and Fisheries
According to the workshop participants’ registration form, Tumusiime had registered as Dr. Tumusiime J, the District Veterinary Officer, Kabale and Okecho Felix as Dr. Okecho, the DVO, Nakapiripirit.
The workshop organisers became suspicious because the men’s contributions in the workshop revealed that they did not have any idea what they were talking about.
“Still, they did not have the courtesy to remain silent,†said one of the workshop officials, who preferred anonymity.
Stupidly, one of them registered as Dr. Okello, the DVO of Kotido, yet the genuine DVO of Kotito Dr. Panvuga was also in attendance.
According to the O/C Seeta Police Post, AIP Moses Mutabingwa, the conmen were targeting the subsistence allowances and transport refund that was to be given to the participants. That is why, apparently, they claimed to come from the furthest districts.
Incidences of gatecrashing workshops and seminars by crooks has reached alarming proportions. Workshop organisers have had to pay for extra meals, tea, stationery and extra transport refund.
Some crooks, especially in Kampala, have made it a means of survival, constantly checking on big hotels every morning to see which workshops are scheduled to take place.
A check into the Police records for example showed that Julius Tumusime had a few months earlier been arrested in Mukono, purporting to be a participant in an agricultural workshop organised by the National Agricultural research Organisation.
It is not surprising for a genuine participant to find his/her name already signed against and the money taken.
Workshop organisers need to take strict measures to keep away impersonators. First, the list of participants should be printed early enough and at the time of registration, one’s name should be cross-checked with the list of participants.
To reinforce this, each participant should produce his/her identification card to prove that he/she is the person they purport to be. Invitation letters should also be presented.
In addition, name tags should be prepared in advance such that each participant displays his/her tag on the chest. Meals should be served at the presentation of a coupon.
At the critical time of paying allowances and transport refund, an invitation letter as well as the identification card should be presented.
With such measures in place, workshop organisers can be sure to avoid wasting resources on unwanted crooks.
Ends
Julius Tumusiime from Kabale, Felix Okecho of Kampala and three others were arrested at Rider Hotel in Seeta when they gatecrashed a workshop for district veterinary officers (DVO)organised by the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal husbandry and Fisheries
According to the workshop participants’ registration form, Tumusiime had registered as Dr. Tumusiime J, the District Veterinary Officer, Kabale and Okecho Felix as Dr. Okecho, the DVO, Nakapiripirit.
The workshop organisers became suspicious because the men’s contributions in the workshop revealed that they did not have any idea what they were talking about.
“Still, they did not have the courtesy to remain silent,†said one of the workshop officials, who preferred anonymity.
Stupidly, one of them registered as Dr. Okello, the DVO of Kotido, yet the genuine DVO of Kotito Dr. Panvuga was also in attendance.
According to the O/C Seeta Police Post, AIP Moses Mutabingwa, the conmen were targeting the subsistence allowances and transport refund that was to be given to the participants. That is why, apparently, they claimed to come from the furthest districts.
Incidences of gatecrashing workshops and seminars by crooks has reached alarming proportions. Workshop organisers have had to pay for extra meals, tea, stationery and extra transport refund.
Some crooks, especially in Kampala, have made it a means of survival, constantly checking on big hotels every morning to see which workshops are scheduled to take place.
A check into the Police records for example showed that Julius Tumusime had a few months earlier been arrested in Mukono, purporting to be a participant in an agricultural workshop organised by the National Agricultural research Organisation.
It is not surprising for a genuine participant to find his/her name already signed against and the money taken.
Workshop organisers need to take strict measures to keep away impersonators. First, the list of participants should be printed early enough and at the time of registration, one’s name should be cross-checked with the list of participants.
To reinforce this, each participant should produce his/her identification card to prove that he/she is the person they purport to be. Invitation letters should also be presented.
In addition, name tags should be prepared in advance such that each participant displays his/her tag on the chest. Meals should be served at the presentation of a coupon.
At the critical time of paying allowances and transport refund, an invitation letter as well as the identification card should be presented.
With such measures in place, workshop organisers can be sure to avoid wasting resources on unwanted crooks.
Ends