Last week, our undercover reporter set out to establish the effectiveness of private security guards, especially in public places such as shopping malls, government offices and banks, in the City of Kigali.

The findings were shocking.

While we have security personnel at the entry points of most busy public places, their way of work leaves a lot to be desired. It is very easy for someone to sneak dangerous objects into these places undetected. In this age of global terrorism, we can’t afford such levels of laxity.

There are rules that were put in place to ensure protection of people and property and they must be observed to the letter.

Terrorism is real and it has become so sophisticated that there is no room for error.  Several countries in the region have bore the brunt of terrorism and Rwanda has not been spared either, with such terrorist organisations as FDLR and RNC linked to a series of grenade attacks, especially in the capital Kigali, in recent years.

The responsibility to avert possible terrorist attacks should not be left to the armed forces alone; businesses, private security companies as well as the general public must all remain vigilant and get involved with safeguarding and consolidating our collective achievements.

We must all remain keenly aware that there are forces that are bent on causing instability in the country with the intent to destroy what the people of Rwanda have achieved against all odds, and take appropriate precautionary measures to keep them at bay.

And everyone needs to play our part. Fighting insecurity starts with you as an individual. If you see a security guard at a public premise letting in people without thorough screening as required, you should alert police or their supervisor.

Also, owners of private security firms should put in place measures to ensure that their guards are not putting people’s lives in danger by not doing their job.

Property managers should also invest in sensitisation of their employees on their role in ensuring public security. Such laxity undermines the tremendous security achievements which have seen Rwanda become one of the most secure countries in the world.