How to keep your property safe at Namugongo 

An estimated three million people are expected to make the pilgrimage to Namugongo in Wakiso District to attend the Martyrs’ Day celebrations tomorrow.
Police crime records indicate that Martyrs’ Day is often frequented by unscrupulous with ill intentions, especially thieves. These target property such as phones, cash, bags, cars and motorcycles, among others. 

READ: Police round up over 30 suspects during Martyr’s Day fete

Flair, commotion: What you missed at the Catholic shrine

The criminals target children who are left unattended. They also issue counterfeit currencies to unsuspecting faithful. 
During last year’s Martyrs’ Day fete, police registered 35 theft cases while one male adult was arrested for issuing counterfeit currency at the Catholic shrine. Police were also stuck with more than 50 lost children who were later reclaimed by respective relatives.
In addition to the guidelines issued by the police to protect yourself and property against such individuals, here are some ways to keep safe.

Dos  
• Keep an eye on your luggage at all times. Avoid delegating strangers to watch over them. 
• Phones must be kept in safer and well monitored places at all times. They aren’t safe inside trouser or skirt pockets due to pickpocketing. 
• Always be mindful of people around you or your property. Ask to know their particulars if necessary. 
• Children must be kept under strict watch and supervision of their caretakers and ensure that they are given a handbook with the parents’ contact number(s) for use in case they get lost (as directed by police). 
• Move in groups for safety. Single and isolated movements may attract attacks by thieves or robbers. 
• Report to police immediately after losing personal belongings or a child.

Don’ts 
• Don’t leave valuable property like phones, laptops, money, cameras and jewelry in the car.
 • Don’t come with children below the age of five unless it is unavoidable.
• Don’t give your phone to anyone unknown to you in the form of helping or any other way.  
• Where necessary, avoid highly crowded places. Thieves use such places to engage in pickpocketing and other illegalities. 
• Don’t leave any of your property behind or on your seat. 
 
Security status at the venue 
In a period of 30 minutes, police evacuated two people from the Uganda Martyrs Shrine Namugongo suspected to have been engaging in unbecoming behavior.
One of the policemen said one of the suspects was drunk.
“This man is a drunkard, shabby and indecent. He had started abusing and disorganising people inside [the martyr’s shrine]” the police officer said on condition of anonymity since he was not authorized to talk to the media about the matter. 
Security at the two sites has been tightened and joint team of police and UPDF soldiers can be seen patrolling the area both on foot and in vehicles.