By Jamillah Kemigisa
Bunyangabu Resident District Commissioner (RDC), Mr Kamukama Nicholas, has urged parents to actively counsel and guide their teenage and youth children, warning that this age group is being deliberately targeted by suspected rebel groups for recruitment.
Addressing the media, Mr Kamukama emphasised that strong parental involvement is essential in preventing young people from being lured into violent activities.
“Parental guidance is crucial in shielding our children from manipulation and recruitment by wrong elements,” he said. “We must not allow our youth to be misled into joining criminal or rebel groups.”
The RDC commended the media for its role in disseminating accurate information and praised residents of Bunyangabu and the wider Rwenzori region for supporting security agencies with timely intelligence.
“Your cooperation in reporting suspicious activities is vital in combating these attacks,” he noted.
Mr Kamukama called on parents to maintain close supervision of their children through regular counselling, guidance, and mentorship. He cautioned that failure to provide such oversight could expose young people to radicalisation and recruitment schemes.
He also appealed to political leaders, local authorities, technical officers, and the general public to remain alert and promptly report any suspicious individuals or unusual activities in their communities. Residents are encouraged to contact security agencies through 0772 988 187 or 0774 767 651.
“If possible, residents should safely apprehend unknown persons and hand them over to the nearest police station or local authority,” he added.
Mr Kamukama further underscored the importance of community vigilance, urging residents to form neighbourhood watch groups to enhance security at the grassroots level.
He cautioned against the spread of misinformation, warning bloggers and social media users to refrain from circulating unverified reports that could cause public panic.
“Those who spread false alarms will be identified and dealt with according to the law,” he warned.
The RDC also appealed to politicians not to exploit the security situation for political gain, assuring the public that security forces have stabilised the region and that business activities have resumed normally.
In his closing remarks, Mr Kamukama directed the district security team to maintain Class 1 standby readiness to respond swiftly to any potential threats.
The RDC’s remarks follow coordinated attacks reported on 1 November 2025 across the Rwenzori region — including Bunyangabu, Bundibugyo, Kasese, and Fort Portal City. Armed with machetes, bows, arrows, and a few firearms, suspected rebels targeted police posts, military detachments, schools, and trading centres.
Security forces repelled the assaults, killing at least 30 assailants and arresting dozens more. Investigations later revealed that several of the attackers had been recruited through ritual gatherings in remote villages before being deployed for the attacks.
Although calm has since been restored, the incidents exposed the vulnerability of teenagers and young adults in the region reinforcing Mr Kamukama’s call for strong parental counselling, community vigilance, and unity in safeguarding the youth from radical influences.
