Uganda Bookshop vandalised, computers stolen

What you need to know:

  • This is not the first incident where premises have been broken into with the help of security guards. In September last year, a female Dillard Security Group guard at NCR building on William Street was killed by robbers who made away with computers.
  • Police advised managers of the different security firms to profile their personnel in addition to training, monitoring and evaluation which are all critical issues to examine.

KAMPALA. Criminals vandalized the premises of Uganda Bookshop located near Christ the King on Thursday night and stole an assortment of goods including books and computers valued at Shs20m.
Mr Emilian Kayima, Kampala Metropolitan police spokesperson, said police suspect there was connivance between the premises’ security guard one Eric Mungu from Corporate Security Company and those who broke into the bookshop.

“The security guard abandoned his uniform and gun at the scene of crime. There was sign that the guard attempted to engage the thugs despite him being armed. He is still on the run but our investigations are on,” Mr Kayima said.
Police said the criminals seemed to have taken a long time studying the area since they also tampered with the CCTV system seemingly under full protection and guidance by the guard who was employed to provide security to the premises.

Mr Kayima cautioned property owners to back their CCTV systems with security guards, and not one guard but a minimum of two. He added that property owners should have strict agreements with security firms where in case their guards get involved in the commission of crime, liability goes to the company.
“The message to security firms is also clear; monitoring their guards is critical. They need to stop recycling criminals who keep hoping from one company to the other,” Mr Kayima said.
Police also advised managers of the different security firms to profile their personnel in addition to training, monitoring and evaluation which are all critical issues to examine.
Mr Kayima said police plan to oversee the operations of private security firms, audit and those found wanting will cease operations.

This is not the first incident where premises have been broken into with the help of security guards. In September last year, a female Dillard Security Group guard at NCR building on William Street was killed by robbers who made away with computers.
Police said the woman’s hands were tied together before she was strangled at about 3.30am and her co-guard was accused of being behind the robbery and killing.
At least 36 offices of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) including Inter-Religious Council of Uganda (IRCU) and Human Rights Network for Journalist (HRNJ) were broken into with guards abandoning their uniforms and guns at the scene.