As Busitema University prepares to receive new students for the 2026/27 academic year, the University is strengthening collaboration between its security structures and student leadership to improve early reporting, prevent student exploitation and promote a safer campus environment.

The University Chief Security Officer, SSP Syamutsangira Simon, has called on Guild leaders to take a more active role in identifying and reporting security concerns among students, describing student leaders as an important link between the University’s security teams and the wider student community.

He made the call during a dialogue with the serving Guild Cabinet on Friday, 7 August 2026, at the Guild Canteen at the Main Campus. The engagement brought together Guild leaders and representatives from the University’s military, police and internal security units as part of preparations for the beginning of a new semester and the arrival of first-year students.

SSP Syamutsangira emphasised that effective campus security is not solely the responsibility of professional security personnel. He noted that Guild leaders, as representatives of the student community, are well positioned to identify emerging concerns and ensure that they reach the relevant University authorities before they escalate.

“Guild leaders are security officers in the University,” SSP Syamutsangira told the student leaders, stressing that their leadership responsibilities extend beyond representing students to helping maintain order, safety and accountability within the University community.

He cited a recent incident in which a newly elected Resident Campus Commissioner raised a concern after food at a University canteen had run out. In response, the Security Office coordinated an alternative arrangement that allowed a mobile vendor to enter the University to provide Irish potatoes to students during the emergency.

The example, he said, demonstrated the importance of student leaders promptly communicating issues affecting students and working with University structures to find practical solutions.

The dialogue also highlighted everyday actions by students that can create security vulnerabilities, particularly the loss of personal property and inadequate communication about movements.

SSP Syamutsangira cautioned students against leaving phones, computers and other valuable gadgets unattended in halls of residence and urged them to maintain accountability with their roommates when leaving the University premises.

He referred to an incident at Kabwangasi Campus involving a female student who became a suspect after a roommate’s phone went missing. The student had left the residence without informing her roommates, making it difficult to establish who had access to the room and resulting in suspicion being directed towards her.

The incident, he said, illustrates how seemingly minor lapses in communication can create unnecessary suspicion and complicate security investigations. He therefore urged Guild leaders to promote responsible behaviour among students, including safeguarding personal property, communicating their movements and reporting suspicious incidents promptly.

With new students expected to join the University, particular attention was also placed on protecting first-year students from individuals who may attempt to exploit their unfamiliarity with the University environment.

SSP Syamutsangira warned Guild leaders about cases in which continuing students or other individuals may falsely present themselves as friends or “tribemates” of newly admitted students in an attempt to gain their trust.

He explained that personal information about new students can sometimes be shared by continuing students under the guise of friendship, potentially exposing first-year students to individuals with exploitative intentions. Such exploitation may take different forms, including financial manipulation and sexual harassment, making early awareness and reporting critical during the transition period.

The Chief Security Officer urged Guild leaders to ensure that first-year students know where and how to report misconduct and to discourage students from sharing personal information about new colleagues irresponsibly.

He further assured the Guild leaders that reports of misconduct involving continuing students, staff or members of the surrounding community would be taken seriously and followed up through the appropriate University structures.

SSP Syamutsangira also commended the newly constructed Kings & Queens Hostel in Syaule for maintaining separate residential facilities for male and female students, noting that appropriate accommodation arrangements can contribute to a safer and more secure student environment.

The engagement comes at a time when Busitema University is preparing to welcome a new cohort of students, many of whom will be experiencing university life for the first time. Strengthening the relationship between students, their leaders and security teams is therefore an important part of ensuring that the transition into university life is safe, orderly and supportive.

SSP Syamutsangira commended the Guild leaders for responding to the engagement at short notice and urged them to demonstrate exemplary conduct, noting that student leaders carry responsibilities similar to those of administrators and managers within the University community.

The University Security Office will continue working with student leaders and other University structures to strengthen information sharing, early reporting and preventive measures as the new semester begins.