At most business premises like Banks, shopping malls and arcades, where the private security personnel are deployed, sanitising, enforcement of washing hands and measuring temperature have been left to the security guards.
Private security guards have abandoned the traditional security checks and turned
to enforce the COVID-19 guidelines.
Before the outbreak of COVID-019, security guards undertook
several measures to strengthen security in public places premises following the
terror attacks and threats.
However, at most business premises like Banks, shopping malls, bus parks, taxi parks, arcades, where the private security personnel are deployed, sanitizing, enforcement
of washing hands and measuring temperature have been left to the security
guards.
In some places, there were no security gadgets like the metal
detectors to check people entering.
A private security guard working for Archeris Security Company,
who preferred anonymity, says that the extra work is done in agreement with the
place where she is deployed. She adds that she is paid between 5,000 to 10,000
shillings for the extra work.
She says the extra payment helps her to survive when salary has
delayed, but also to use for transport back home.
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When URN reporter visited DFCU Bank Branch at Aponye shopping Mall,
two Securex guards were seen sanitizing and checking people’s temperature during lunchtime while the gun was placed against a plastic white chair. It was not
different at Orient and Stanbic Banks main Branches in Kampala. After measuring
their temperature and sanitizing, people were not checked.
Some members of the public have observed that the security guards
are not vigilant at checking whoever enters a public place, which puts the
lives of the people at risk.
Jeb Mutanga, a private businessman in Kampala says most of the
private guards have neglected their work during the COVID 19 pandemic which
endangers the people they are supposed to serve.
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Isa Sekito, Kampala City Traders Association (KACITA) spokesperson,
says most of the private security guards have been affected by the COVID- 19
environment. He says that the loophole by the security guards can be exploited
by bad elements.
According to Sekito, the security guards should deploy extra
personnel to carry out checks and those who will enforce the COVID-19 guidelines.
Grace Matsiko, the National Chairman of Uganda Private Security
Companies Association, agrees that there laxity among some private security
guards and their supervision.
According to Matsiko, the private security guards
code of conduct, they are not allowed to carry out any other duties that are
not in their work routine and profession.
