Vice President Maj. (Rtd) Jessica Alupo has urged religious leaders across Uganda to make security and preparedness a priority in places of worship, warning against waiting for disasters to strike before taking preventive measures.
Alupo delivered the message through the Minister for the Presidency and Budiope West MP, Hon. Babirye Milly Babalanda, who represented her at the launch of The Church Security Manual, authored by Maj. Joakim Bukenya, at Makerere University Business School (MUBS) in Nakawa.
She stressed that although Government bears the primary responsibility for protecting citizens, communities and institutions must also play an active role in identifying risks and protecting lives and property. With thousands of Ugandans gathering in churches, mosques and other worship centres every week, she described safety in such places as a collective responsibility rather than merely a security concern.
“Prevention is better than reaction,” Alupo said, urging religious institutions to assess potential threats before they develop into emergencies. She noted that faith should go hand in hand with wisdom, knowledge and practical measures aimed at protecting worshippers.
The Vice President commended Maj. Bukenya for producing the manual, saying it comes at a critical time when security must be viewed as a shared responsibility. According to her, the publication provides a broader approach to protecting places of worship by covering risk assessment, security planning, emergency preparedness and intelligence gathering.
Alupo further encouraged religious leaders to strengthen collaboration with the Uganda Police Force, UPDF and other security agencies, saying these institutions should not only be contacted after an incident has occurred. She called on every church, regardless of its size or location, to conduct basic security assessments and establish practical measures to safeguard congregations.
She also welcomed the proposal to establish a Ministry of Church Security Awareness to provide security sensitisation and training to churches countrywide. Babalanda, who officially launched the manual on behalf of Government, also urged religious leaders to support President Yoweri Museveni’s anti-corruption campaign and embrace wealth-creation programmes aimed at improving household incomes and reducing poverty.
Maj. Bukenya said the manual offers practical guidance on forming church security committees, training ushers and volunteers, protecting children through effective Sunday school policies, securing worship premises and parking areas, and using appropriate technology. He said its approach brings together faith, leadership, planning, technology and professional security management, while commending President Museveni, CDF Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba and the UPDF leadership for their support and inspiration. The launch brought together religious leaders, security officials, academics and other stakeholders.
