Gulu University,RCC meet to strenghen Student Security
The Resident City Commissioner (RCC) of Gulu City, Onoria Ambrose, today met with the top management of Gulu University, led by the Vice-Chancellor, to discuss strategies for strengthening student security and improving safety within the university community and its surroundings.
The meeting, held in the university boardroom at the Main Campus, followed the tragic death of a Literature student from the Faculty of Education on the morning of Saturday, October 10, 2026, reportedly resulting from street gang violence.
During the meeting, the RCC conveyed condolences to the university fraternity and expressed sympathy with the bereaved family, fellow students, staff, and the entire university community during this difficult time.
The discussions focused on addressing immediate security concerns and developing sustainable measures to protect students and the wider university community. Both parties emphasized the need for a long-term security strategy built on stronger collaboration between Gulu University and relevant city security agencies.
The proposed approach aims to improve coordination, information sharing, and joint responses to security threats affecting students both within the university premises and in the surrounding communities.
As part of the agreed measures, the RCC and a joint security team will meet with students on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. at Gulu University Main Campus. The engagement will provide an opportunity to hear students’ concerns, discuss prevailing security challenges, and identify practical measures to enhance their safety.
The meeting also comes ahead of the university’s General Security Assembly, with the discussions marking an important step towards developing lasting solutions to student security challenges and reinforcing collective responsibility for the protection and well-being of the university community.
Gulu University remains committed to working with relevant stakeholders and security agencies to promote a safe and secure environment that supports learning, research, and community transformation.
Comment (1)
I appreciate the university management and the Resident City Commissioner (RCC) for coming together to discuss student security following the tragic death of our fellow student. My heartfelt condolences go to the bereaved family, friends, fellow students, and the entire Gulu University community. However, I wish to express my deep concern that student insecurity at Gulu University has been a recurring issue, yet the concerns raised by students do not appear to receive the urgent attention they deserve.
During the recent Freshers’ Ball, although no death was reported, many students reportedly lost their phones, while others sustained injuries and wounds and were taken to nearby hospitals and clinics. Others may have suffered silently without their concerns being adequately heard. This raises serious questions about the effectiveness of the existing security arrangements during university events. Such incidents should not be overlooked simply because no life was lost.
More concerning is the fact that these security issues are not new. During last semester’s General Assembly, one of the students raised a security concern directly with the Vice-Chancellor in the presence of the Head of Security. At the beginning of this semester, while students were still on the semester break, I also saw a letter written by the Guild President, Hon Onekgiu Pius, addressing the need for security lights along the road leading from the Faculty of Agriculture towards 3A Hostel. Unfortunately, to my knowledge, those lights have still not been installed.
Students have continued to experience insecurity and loss of property during various university events, including Independence Day celebrations and the Cultural Gala, as well as during their everyday movements around the university and its surroundings. This is deeply worrying, especially as we approach the examination period and the festive season, when students may face additional security risks. If urgent preventive measures are not taken, we fear that more students could lose their property, sustain serious injuries, or even lose their lives.
My question to the university management and the Head of Security is this: How many more security concerns must students raise, and how many more incidents must occur before concrete action is taken? Meetings and statements of commitment are important, but they must be followed by visible and measurable action. Students should not have to wait for another tragedy before their concerns are taken seriously.
I therefore respectfully urge the university management, the Head of Security, the Guild leadership, the RCC, and the relevant security agencies to take immediate action. This should include installing the proposed security lights along the road to 3A Hostel, increasing security patrols in high-risk areas, strengthening security during university events, improving emergency response, and establishing reliable channels through which students can report security incidents and receive feedback.
Student security should not become a priority only after a life has been lost. Prevention must come before tragedy. We came to Gulu University to pursue our education, not to live in fear of losing our lives or our hard-earned property. Every student deserves to move around the university safely, attend university functions without fear, and concentrate on their studies without constantly worrying about personal security.
I hope the upcoming meeting between the RCC, the security team, and students on Tuesday, 13 October 2026, will not be another meeting that ends with promises. Let it produce specific commitments, clear implementation timelines, responsible officers, and a follow-up mechanism to ensure that the agreed measures are actually implemented. Students also deserve to know what action has been taken on the concerns previously raised, including the request for security lights.
Our security concerns are real. Our voices deserve to be heard. Our safety cannot wait.
Thank you.
Atwebembeire Derrick.
Bachelor of Science Education (Physical)
Faculty of Education and Humanities.