Tayebwa, MPs fume over man remanded 28 years

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Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Thomas Tayebwa, has expressed deep outrage following alarming allegations that some prisoners have been languishing on remand for over two decades.

“Someone in Prison for 28 years on remand, it just shook me and it can happen to any of us. Twenty-eight years I don’t know which crime you could have committed. I don’t know which sentence that person will get,” Tayebwa wondered.

Adding: “Some of these things appear like stories in novels and action movies”.

His comments during the plenary session on January 28, 2025, followed the presentation of the majority human rights committee report by Fox Oywelowo Odoi (West Budama North East, NRM) and the minority by Jonathan Odur.

The reports revolved around the detention conditions of four-time presidential candidate, Dr Kiiza Besigye, after public uproar.

Besigye along with Al-Hajj Obed Lutale, is remanded at Luzira Upper Prison on charges related to prejudicing state security.

In their report, lawmakers said during their interaction with Besigye and Luzira Prison staff on Friday last week, they discovered that some prisoners have been languishing for longer spells behind bars with no hope of ever seeing justice.

“He is not on remand just for 28 years. He has never appeared in court. There are two. One has been there for 28 years, another one 16 and both of them have never appeared in court. They are just waiting for the minister's order,” Francis Mwijukye (Buhweju county, FDC) quipped.

In his response, Deputy Attorney General (DAG) Jackson Kafuuzi said some of these issues had been raised during an interaction earlier on Tuesday with the human rights committee, which was attended by the commissioner of prisons, Dr Johnson Byabashaija, where it was agreed that they would take two days to gather the necessary information before taking the next step.

Deputy Attorney General (DAG) Jackson Kafuuzi. (Credit: Maria Wamala)

“Either ask for an automatic release or advise accordingly but in two days, we will be able to get that… The commissioner General of Prisons (Johnson Byabashaija) has shared a list already so we are going to look at it,” Kafuuzi assured.

“Attorney General as you report back, someone slept on the job, which resulted in very serious and bad consequences. It's unacceptable, 28 years! I think it shouldn’t stop at you looking for these prisoners. Anyway, you are going to report but you should be looking at taking action on those officers and probably compensating these people,” Tayebwa cautioned.

Cause of overcrowding

Frank Kabuye (Kassanda South, NUP) pointed out that this issue is a key contributor to overcrowding in jails across the country. He added that it is high time the government released political prisoners to ease the burden on the prison system and create much-needed space.

“How I wish the Judiciary and Government come out clear to give freedom to these young people,” Kabuye said.

Unforgivable

Abdu Katuntu (Bugweri, independent). (Credit: Maria Wamala)

Despite his explanations, Abdu Katuntu (Bugweri, independent) labelled the matter as unacceptable, emphasizing that in other countries, it would have warranted a judicial commission of inquiry.

“It is not only illegal, it is certainly unconstitutional. Because the Constitution demands a fair, speedy trial. It is a constitutional demand. How can someone be arrested and beg for 20 years to be prosecuted?” Katuntu fumed.

“We cannot sit here as legislators and let these guys who put on wigs as judges say they are dispensing a system of justice which keeps someone in jail for 20 years without the due process of the law,” he added.