Makerere University’s Chief Security Officer, SSP Kaheebwa Geoffrey, used the official orientation ceremony on 3rd August 2026 to walk the incoming 2026/2027 freshers through a detailed set of security guidelines aimed at keeping them safe throughout their time on the hill.
His remarks went well beyond the usual campus security basics, touching on everything from cybersecurity to fire safety to mental wellness, framing personal security as something built through discipline, awareness, and personal responsibility rather than left entirely to the university’s security apparatus.
Here’s a rundown of the key points from his address:
- Discipline comes first. SSP Kaheebwa described discipline as the foundation of personal security, arguing that students who respect university regulations and practice self-control are far less likely to end up in risky situations driven by peer pressure.
- Stay aware of your surroundings. He urged freshers to put their phones away while walking and stay alert to their environment, noting that simple situational awareness can prevent petty theft and other opportunistic crimes.
- Security is a shared responsibility. While the university runs a security framework including a dedicated security team, CCTV cameras, and access control, he stressed that students must actively report suspicious individuals or activities rather than assume someone else will.
- Guard your personal integrity. Honesty in academic work, avoiding plagiarism, and truthfulness in daily interactions were flagged as central to a student’s reputation and character at Makerere.
- Protect your digital footprint. Students were cautioned against sharing their student ID, passwords, or bank details, and warned to be wary of unsolicited messages and offers that sound too good to be true.
- Exercise maturity with your newfound freedom. He specifically cautioned against sneaking out late at night, excessive drinking, and skipping classes, urging students to weigh how today’s decisions affect their future.
- Don’t make yourself an easy target for theft. Laptops, phones, and other valuables should never be left unattended in libraries, lecture halls, or cafeterias, and hostel rooms should always be locked.
- Know your fire safety procedures. Freshers were urged to familiarise themselves with fire assembly points and exits in their halls and lecture buildings, and to evacuate calmly rather than panic in an emergency.
- Prioritise your mental and physical health. Students struggling with academic pressure or personal issues were encouraged to reach out to the university’s counselling centre and health facilities rather than ignore the stress.
- Secure your hostel space. Locking rooms even for short trips to the bathroom, avoiding letting strangers in, and knowing your neighbours were all highlighted as simple but effective habits.
- Build a strong peer network. He encouraged students to form study groups and join clubs and societies that promote academic integrity and positive values.
- Balance academics and social life. While encouraging participation in sports, music, and clubs, he cautioned against overcommitting to extracurriculars at the expense of academics, framing time management itself as a security tool.
- Save the emergency contact numbers. Freshers were urged to save the University Security Office and Police numbers from their orientation materials and to call without hesitation if they witness a crime or find themselves in trouble.
- Take personal responsibility for your own safety. He reminded students that while the university provides the framework, rules, and personnel, individual students must actively choose to make safe decisions.
- Protect the Makerere legacy. Closing his address, SSP Kaheebwa reminded freshers that their conduct reflects on the institution itself, tying personal security back to the broader reputation and legacy of the university.
He closed his remarks with the University Security Office’s rallying call: “Protect and Serve.”
Orientation Week continues with college-based sessions ahead of the start of the new academic year.
