Uganda Police have urged parents to take a more active role in protecting young people from terrorist recruitment as extremist groups increasingly exploit the internet and other digital platforms to spread their messages.
Namanya Apollo, the Coordinator of Awareness and Sensitisation in Counter-Terrorism, said young people are particularly vulnerable to recruitment because they can be easily manipulated and may be attracted by promises of money and other opportunities.
Speaking on Salam TV's Omukeeze programme hosted by Twaha Mukiibi, Namanya said terrorists deliberately target young people as part of their recruitment strategies.
He said the growth of the internet and artificial intelligence has made counter-terrorism more challenging by giving extremist groups new ways of reaching potential recruits.
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"Children can access unregulated content online, giving terrorists an easy avenue to reach them," Namanya said.
He urged parents to pay close attention to their children's activities both online and offline and to create an environment where young people can freely discuss issues that may expose them to extremist influence.
Namanya advised parents to teach children critical thinking skills so they can recognise and question extremist messages rather than accepting them without scrutiny.
He also encouraged families to build strong relationships with their children and equip young people with skills that can help them earn a living.
According to Namanya, economic vulnerability can make young people more susceptible to terrorist recruitment, particularly when groups use financial incentives to attract them.
He said parents should therefore help children develop legitimate sources of income and avoid situations that could make them dependent on promises from extremist groups.
Uganda's counter-terrorism approach has been shaped by the country's experience with armed groups, including the Lord's Resistance Army, led by Joseph Kony, and the Allied Democratic Forces, which originated in Uganda and currently operates mainly in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
The LRA insurgency was characterised by mass killings, mutilations and the abduction of children, while the ADF has remained a regional security threat.
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Namanya said the changing tactics of terrorist groups mean that security agencies alone cannot prevent radicalisation.
He called for greater community vigilance and cooperation with security agencies to identify and report suspicious activities.
He emphasised that counter-terrorism should begin at the family and community levels, with parents playing a key role in protecting children from extremist ideologies.
