By Gilbert Akampa Kakurugu,
Mbarara City South
Health workers at Holy Innocents Children’s Hospital in Nyamitanga were given a stern warning by ASP Arinaitwe George, the community liaisons officer, to not trust even their own shadows if they want to be secure. He emphasized the importance of knowing their neighbors as criminals are often part of their community.
During his presentation on personal security, ASP Arinaitwe George advised the staff to reduce the means by which a thief can take their property. He warned them that thieves are likely to use the victim’s own property like ladders and pangas to commit a crime. He also stressed the importance of marking their personal property for it becomes hard for a criminal to sell such property.
The ASP advised the staff to understand their spouses to avoid domestic violence, including financial and sexual violence. He also reminded married couples to never deny their partners sex for it is among the leading causes of domestic violence in communities.
The officer also cautioned the staff to be careful when looking for house helpers to avoid human trafficking and other related crimes like child labor which is punishable under the law.

Hospital Director Dr. Stephen Businge expressed his gratitude to the Uganda police for their valuable time and advice noting that it was timely since the hospital has been registering such cases. He acknowledged that personal security is often underlooked, and emphasized the importance of implementing the tips given by the police to reduce avoidable crimes.
The staff at Holy Innocents Children’s Hospital were advised to be vigilant and take personal security seriously, especially amidst the looming threat of crimes committed by people within their own community.
Holy innocents children’s hospital is a specialized children’s hospital in Nyamitanga ,Mbarara City offering a wide range of services including specialized surgeries, laboratory services, neonatal care, radiology, ENT among others with a state of art Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).