Police Warn Parents Against Online Radicalisation, Drug Abuse Among Children

What the report says

Uganda Police are urging parents, guardians and community leaders to tighten supervision of children during the school holidays, warning that more free time, greater internet use and weaker day-to-day oversight can increase exposure to drug abuse, criminal activity and extremist recruitment. The warning was delivered by Superintendent of Police Namanya Apollo, who serves as head coordinator of awareness and sensitisation at the Police Counter-Terrorism Directorate, during a TV appearance on Salam TV’s Omukeeze programme.

According to the police message reported by Nile Post, children may be especially vulnerable when holidays reduce structure and routine. Namanya said some young people could be influenced by peer pressure or manipulated through online spaces, including websites, social media and games, where extremist groups may try to reach them. He also stressed that keeping children safe should involve families, local leaders and the wider community rather than parents alone.

He advised parents to monitor mobile phone and device use, guide children on online safety, spend more time with them and keep them engaged in productive activities. The broader warning also extended to the festive period, with Namanya calling for stronger security at bus and taxi parks and urging travelers, traders and market workers to stay alert and report suspicious behaviour.

The comments reflect wider concerns in Uganda and elsewhere about children’s online safety and youth vulnerability during unstructured school breaks, though the police remarks in this report were focused on holiday risks and community vigilance.