The Commissioner General of Uganda Prisons Service, Johnson Byabashaija, has warned that prisons across the country will continue to grapple with congestion unless the sector’s budget is prioritized.
Byabashaija told lawmakers on Tuesday, July 4, 2023, that the number of prisoners in Uganda has risen to 76,248 in 2023, while the budget for the Prisons Service has decreased.
“Congestion in prisons has to increase, inevitably. The occupancy rate last year was 360% against this year’s 373%. Space of one person is now being occupied by four people. This is the reality,” Byabashaija said.
He added that the budget for food, maintenance, and clothing has also not been increased in the 2023/2024 financial year.
Byabashaija requested Uganda’s MPs to allocate Shs10.8 billion towards construction of prisoners’ wards, fitted with water closets in the remaining 27 prisons.
His response was prompted by a concern raised by Sironko District Woman MP, Hon. Florence Nambozo, who singled out the congestion in Kitalya maximum security prison in Wakiso district, saying that the situation there is appalling.
“Inmates sleep back to back and wait for the bell to ring to turn. People are now saying that they prefer to be killed than go to prison,” Nambozo said.
Meanwhile, Committee Vice Chairperson, Hon. Jennifer Mbabazi, asked Byabashaijja to address allegations of shared facilities by adult prisoners with juveniles.
“We should not let this matter pass without it being handled. Children cannot share prisons with adults,” said Mbabazi.
Byabashaijja assured the MPs that there are no juveniles in the adult prisons, explaining that all juveniles are sent to remand homes.
“Court does not send juveniles to adult prisons, some slip through police and the judiciary during age determination and up in adult prisons,” he said.
