SECURITY AND SAFETY TIPS TO STUDENTS DURING THE LONG HOLIDAY

BASIC SECURITY

1. Do you know how to give precise and straight forward directions to your place of residence or any place you may frequently visit in the event of any emergency? Name of road, how many roads you must pass before turning right/left, shops, and buildings with particular features. Does your residence have any particular features? Colour of the roof, the gate, type of fencing etc… Do not use mango or jack-fruit trees as guiding points, as there are many all over –the country.

2. UGANDA POLICE

   FROM CHIEF POLITICAL COMMISSAR

   SECURITY AND SAFETY TIPS TO STUDENTS DURING THE LONG HOLIDAY

   Dear students,

   Your safety is our concern, kindly follow this message.

   BASIC SECURITY

   1. Do you know how to give precise and straight forward directions to your place of residence or any place you may frequently visit in the event of any emergency? Name of road, how many roads you must pass before turning right/left, shops, and buildings with particular features. Does your residence have any particular features? Colour of the roof, the gate, type of fencing etc… Do not use mango or jack-fruit trees as guiding points, as there are many all over –the country.
   1. Do you have the local contact details of Police given where you’ll be based for the holidays? If not, find out what they are and where they are located. Ensure everyone in your house is aware of the same.
   1. Be security conscious and alert ALL THE TIME, especially when you leave your home. Be responsible for those you are travelling with in your group. Be alert to the behavior and habits of strangers in your midst (e.g. heavy or layered clothing in warm weather, looks nervous and shifty, avoids Police or other authorities around, moves too close to other people’s property, leaves an item or property somewhere and walks off without informing anybody).
   1. Do not accept transportation or custodianship of any item from any person under any circumstances, no matter how small, simple or harmless the object may appear. Alert the Police, and remember the description (physical features) of the person, if you have been approached. Be responsible for your own property. Alert the authorities if it looks like it has been tampered with.
   1. Keep safe distances from any stranger trying to befriend you –no matter how innocent or harmless they may appear.
   1. Do not accept any beverage that has been opened before reaching you. Keep a constant eye on your food and beverage when socializing. Finish your beverage first, before you go to talk to others nearby or go to dance.
   1. Memorize the telephone numbers of your parents/guardian and 1 of Police (0800-199399/199699 or 0800-122291) in case your own phone has been stolen and you need to use someone’s phone to call for emergency help. Make sure you always have some emergency transport money on you to get to a safe place in case your safety has been compromised.
   1. Make sure your parents, or at least one close friend, know precisely where you are going at any hour so if you run into a problem and fail to return; someone knows from where to begin to search for you.

   STAYING SAFE & MAKING GOOD CHOICES

   1. Be assertive and independent. Vehemently resist any form of negative peer pressure (e.g. bad company, drinking, drug use, intimate relationships, video halls, sitting around just gossiping or talking about entertainers and their lifestyles). In fact, be a champion against it. There are many other good friends out there. Form positive peer pressure groups: reading clubs, sports clubs, field trips, community work etc..

   Alert a trusted adult if you see someone taking a wrong turn with their choice of friends, habits and activities. Take the time to be a positive influence to them.

   1. If you are faced with, or observe, any uncomfortable, awkward or inappropriate behavior; report it to your parents or a trusted adult.
   1. Girls: Be assertive, do not put up with any rubbish. If a boy respects you, he will not ask you to do anything that is not good for your future. He would be happy to wait for you until much later. If he does not respect you, he will speak his sweet words and wait to see if you will fall into his trap. Be strong, stand firm. Protect your future.
   1. Even before you leave school over the coming hours, make a personal daily schedule on how you will utilize your time at home. Monitor each other and get the support of your parents to help you stick to your schedule. Make it a discipline to stick to that schedule.
   1. Use the holiday to carry out field trips on practical work that you found difficult in theory last year and what will be coming the following year. Do it in groups to keep each other motivated and make it fun.
   1. Take the time to visit people you identify to be a success in their profession (law, business, engineering, teaching, math professor as examples). Find out from them what it took to get to that level of success i.e. the discipline, perseverance, drive, sacrifice, avoiding temptation, making right choices etc). Let your parents help you identify those people –as some may have become successful through corrupt means, which you may not be aware about.
   1. Limit the time you watch TV, movies, videos –it should be a limited part in your daily schedule, not free, open and undefined time. You would rather read a good book that is enlightening and entertaining. Read books about self-motivation, entrepreneurs, inventors etc. of local and international stature.
   1. Take the time to visit your elders. Be aware of the responsibilities that await you near and far. Learn how to plan ahead.
   1. BE HAPPY; ENJOY YOUR HOLIDAY in a manner that is secure, safe and wise at all times.

   MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR

   UGANDA POLICE

   Here, to protect and serve.