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Incarcerated mothers go through a lot to be good paents while in Prison. They endure stigma, deprivation and resentment from their families, but brave throught it to raise their children. 

Ritah Mukasa caught up with incarcerated mothers and they shared how they parent in prison.

Last week, I walked into prison for the first time. I was filled with apprehension. I had heard horrifying stories that left me dreading getting close to any prison. 

I visualised a cold, miserable world inside the concrete walls and metallic gates. I kept thinking that nothing about prison is soft; not even the ‘ruthless’ wardens. 

For that, I held on to the fears but then, this time; it was an assignment I had to execute. A group of women philanthropists from Inner Wheel Club of Kampala central was donating to incarcerated mothers at Luzira Women’s Prison. 

I had to document the visit. At 10:00am, we were waiting to be cleared at the main gate. To get in, we needed original national identifi cation cards and clearance from the head offi ce, which we had. 

Incarcerated mothers described the psychological distress of missing their older children and raising babies in prison. (All Photos by Ritah Mukasa)

All other possessions; bags, phones, notebooks and cameras are either left behind or declared and kept at the reception. Registration and checking took us 15 minutes or thereabout. 

At that time, my heart was in my mouth. Those sad tales kept lingering in my mind. As the eyes pried through the gate, I visualised a dark, harsh and oppressive atmosphere. I also set my mind to face the ‘rude’ wardens. 

My heart bled for inmates in squalor situations, visibly crushed by their tribulations. However, a few minutes later, I was proved wrong. The scenes that kept swirling in my head were just delusional. 

First, the guards at the reception welcomed us with warm smiles as though they were ushering us into a five-tar hotel. 

Their hospitality, smartness and decorum were remarkable. Before we could go down to the administration block, I got another surprise. The compound is pristine and well kept. 

The trees and flowers decorate the well-manicured lawn as they fill the atmosphere with tranquillity. A few inmates who were strolling around looked healthy, clean and in good shape. 

Inner Wheel Kampala Central Club donated buckets, jerrycans, baby blankets, sugar, porridge and soap.

Their yellow uniforms added to the serenity. Others were busy; mopping, trimming hedges and tidying the compound under close supervision of female wardens who looked friendly. 

I could not doubt the camaraderie. Still, in our sight, I marvelled at a couple of inmates who were milking the cows. Adjacent to them was another bunch weeding the garden. 

I admired the swiftness and order with which they executed their tasks. But again, my curious mind kept wondering what their crimes were. They looked humble and remorseful. 

I could not help but sympathise with them. From the compound, we were led to the administration block where a group of officers welcomed us. They were clad in neat brown uniforms matched with maroon shoes and socks. 

They asked us to feel at home. Perhaps, after reading the consternation on our faces. 

“The inmates feel happy whenever they receive visitors. You lift their spirits and restore their hope,” one of them blurted as we settled in our seats inside a spacious clean office.

After making consultations here and there, they finally led us to the maternity wing. It is a detached block, on the left-hand side of the administration block. There is a children’s play area in the compound, which gives it a home feel.

Muhumuza says Inner Wheel Kampala Central, which comprises 43 members, shall visit the mothers every three months. 

Meeting mothers in prison

Outside this block were pairs of clean and well-arranged flip-flops and plastic shoes of different sizes and colours. A quick count gave me 35 pairs. 

The verandah, too, was gleaming despite the rainy morning. We were asked to keep our shoes on, something that bothered me. I felt guilty, dirtying a clean floor but I chose not to argue with the warden. One step inside the ward, we were greeted with applause. 

The mothers were standing beside their all-white, well-made beds with their babies. They were 45, including the expectant ones; teenagers and middle-aged as well. 

Some have physical disabilities. The room became warm. 

At that moment, apart from their yellow uniforms, nothing else separated our free world from theirs. We warmed up to each other and they showed gratitude. As they were enchanted, I could see their kind eyes and shy smiles. 

Others were bold and they stood out, showing that they were long removed from the events that led them to prison. One such person is their leader-cum-caretaker (katikkiro) who survived the death row over murder. She has been incarcerated for 21 years and has three more to go. 

Gladys Muhumuza, the Inner Wheel Club president carries one of the inmates' babies.

She cannot wait to meet her five children and start an initiative to help mothers in prison. Her testimony was tugged at my heartstrings.

Meanwhile, after a moment of prayer and remarks from Gladys Muhumuza, the Inner Wheel Kampala Central Club president, the mothers shared experiences, while fighting back tears. 

They described the psychological distress of missing their older children and raising babies in prison. At first, they said they felt crushed but their wardens and counsellors sat by their side to restore hope. Some feel crushed by their own bad choices. 

They endure the guilt and shame of knowing that the separation from their families is their fault. Others felt beaten by their partners and acquaintances and by the loss of family ties. 

The stakes are always high. They constantly worry about their children and the dangers that might befall them in their absence. What was more traumatising was coming to grips with being powerless to be with their children. However, they learned to hold on to God to keep going. In a way, everyone becomes a staunch believer. 

They pray, fast, praise and worship God, relentlessly. With time, the harshness and guilt fade but they maintain that soft place for their children. 

It is one part of their heart and soul they would not compromise. The lucky ones keep in touch with their babies through the phone, although it never fills the void. Others are completely cut off. 

Being a mother in prison 

On January 18, Sarah (second name withheld) left for work in the morning as usual, unaware that she would not return. She worked at a bar and restaurant in a suburb of Kampala. 

On reaching work, she learnt that a young man had been killed and the body dumped near the bar. In an unexpected turn of events, she was arrested with four others and later taken to Luzira Women’s Prison. 

Sarah, 21, was living with her boyfriend, a married man, and her three-year-old daughter from a previous relationship. She was also fi ve months pregnant. 

Her sister, who lives in Isingiro district, took over raising her daughter.

However, Sarah rarely hears from her sister, daughter or boyfriend. 

“The wardens are loving. They have since cared for me as their own,” she says. 

“I had nothing when I delivered and they provided the little they had. They can only do too much.” Sarah has one dress and sheet for her baby. On rainy days, when the dress does not dry, she wraps the baby in the sheet, while going to court. 

In addition, the diapers always run out. In such hardships, she says she feels the pinch of being an incarcerated mother and an orphan. 

“My boyfriend’s contact was in my phone but it was stolen on the day I was arrested. I doubt he knows where I am. I sent my sister to look for him and she failed,” she says. 

Sarah called her relatives for help but they cut her off. On a good note, she says she receives food, soap, sanitary pads and baby porridge. 

In addition, Nalugo, 30, hails the wardens for loving her unconditionally amidst deprivation. 

She is a teacher and a mother of six. She was arrested last year in Pallisa district over allegations of child traffi cking. Then, she had five children aged between 14 and two years. 

Nalugo also looked after six stepchildren of her two co-wives. She first spent some weeks in Kamuge Prison and was later transferred to another prison in Mbale district. 

While there, she became sickly and later discovered she was pregnant. Her health kept deteriorating, prompting authorities to transfer her to Luzira Women’s Prison. 

In May, she delivered a baby boy with a hole in his heart. “I was devastated. I got depressed but the nurses and wardens stood with me and gave me all the support,” she says. 

Nalugo’s baby was successfully operated on and now lives a healthy life. She still reels in pain over the death of her mother. Her husband went into hiding the day she was arrested. 

Nalugo’s children were taken to live with her mother in Buikwe district. 

However, the old woman collapsed and died when she found out about her daughter’s imprisonment. Nalugo’s aunt took over the children, but she is fi nancially incapacitated to feed and educate them. 

They dropped out of school. The youngest, who is three, is stunted and sickly. “I ask Allah every day to give me a chance to reunite with my children. At least prisons should allow me to stay with the sick ones here for better care. My heart will rest,” she says. 

Another mother, Aida, was incarcerated two years ago when she was six months pregnant. She was home watching TV with a neighbour when two armed men slammed the door and shot him dead. 

Aida left behind five children. Relatives have looked after them since her husband disappeared. She would later give birth to a baby who was diagnosed with sickle cell disease. 

“Having a sick child while in prison is the worst experience a mother can face,” she says. Aida thanks the wardens for being there for her and her baby, who has been on and off oxygen and has had blood transfusions several times.

Inner wheels donates 

Inner Wheel Kampala Central Club donated buckets, jerrycans, baby blankets, sugar, porridge and soap. Muhumuza says Inner Wheel Kampala Central, which comprises 43 members, shall visit the mothers every three months. 

“We have come to see and hear their challenges so that on the next visit, we bring the real items the mothers need without speculating,” she says. 

Muhumuza thanked the wardens for being kind towards the inmates and encouraged the mothers to remain steadfast in their faith in God and forgive those who wronged them. 

“Your condition is not permanent. Love your babies knowing they will grow into great men and women,” she said. 

Muhumuza also promised to support the expectant mothers with the items needed in labour. Hope Rutebemberwa, the project co-ordinator, implored women to step up and help the vulnerable people, more so fellow women in prison. 

“That way, we shall make the world a better place for everyone,” Rutebemberwa said. She said prison is not a reserve for particular people. 

“Everyone is prone, a reason we for helping those that go there before us. “Those mothers need clothes, pads, sugar and other necessities which are affordable to many people,” Rutebemberwa said.

Mothers in prison need family support

Rebecca Mutonerwa, who is in charge of the maternity, says mothers are given a chance to communicate with their families, but some are blocked by their own. 

They keep calling in vain until they give up and resign to fate. She implored families to be considerate and love the inmates because love goes a long way in helping them to be well and hopeful. 

They also engage them in productive and rehabilitative activities to address their mental and emotional suffering. 

They are counselled and cared for. Some start school or vocational skills training like hairdressing, tailoring, handicraft making and agriculture. They can also engage in sports or learn soap-making. Most importantly, they are allowed to stay with their children for up to 12 months. 

According to prison regulations, children are not supposed to be in prison but in cases where the mother has no one else to take care of the child, she is allowed to stay with her or him for up to 12 months. 

After, they are taken to the daycare outside the jail premises, but keep in touch with their mothers. At two years, if there is still no one to take care of those children, they are taken on by reputable non-governmental organisations.

About Inner Wheel

The Inner Wheel Club of Manchester was founded in 1924 by Margarette Golding, the first of nearly 4,000 Inner Wheel Clubs today. By 2022, Inner Wheel has grown to more than 120,000 members in 100 countries.

The Club is is one of the largest women’s voluntary organisations globally.

It aims to promote true friendship, personal service and international understanding. 

In Uganda, there are six clubs in Kampala, Mukono and Masaka districts. Membership is open to all females above 18 years who have a passion for serving humanity.