Schools tipped to acquire metal detectors

By Pascal Kwesiga 

As security agencies remain on high alert to prevent possible terror attacks, the police have asked school administrators to acquire metal detectors to prevent criminal minded individuals from smuggling deadly weapons into their premises.

According to the police, the threats of terrorism against Uganda remain, with schools and other crowded places being possible targets for the enemy.

The Kampala Metropolitan police spokesperson, Ibbin Ssenkumbi told a meeting of school administrators, matrons and security guards in Kampala that whereas owners of entertainment places and Banks have maintained high security at their premises, schools have not put in place robust measures to beef up security. 

He said the security guards should subject visitors and parents to thorough frisking before they are allowed into the schools to avoid criminals from causing havoc among the children.

His remarks came after matrons complained that deadly weapons are sneaked into schools concealed into luggage which they are not allowed to check most of the times by the visitors and the students.

The matrons, school administrators and security guards were attending a meeting organized the Parents Brigade, an NGO that was formed in the wake of the fire out that burned to death 20 pupils at Buddo Junior school in 2008 to sensitize school authorizes on how to prevent and respond to safety hazards.

During the meeting at Nsambya playground on Tuesday, the Parents Brigade launched a national wide programme to raise awareness in schools.

Edgar Barigye, the executive director of the parents' organization said the sensitization training for the matrons, security guards and schools administrators would be conducted in all divisions in the city before it can be rolled out to all parts of the country.

He said the beneficiaries were being trained on how to identify safety hazards, how to prevent them and how to deal with the aftermath of hazardous situations.

Barigye explained that they decided to start the training a week after schools reopened for the second term across the country to remind of the school administrators and support staff to keep the safety of the children a top priority.

He said the training sessions are financed with funds provided by parents who are members of the organization as their contribution towards efforts to enhance the safety of the children.

A matron said the decision by the parents to take part in efforts to improve security of their children in schools is welcome. "It is good that parents are eager to play a role in beefing up the security of their children instead of living it to us alone."