Uganda Prisons secure multiple awards at Agricultural show

JINJA - Uganda Prisons Service secures multiple prestigious awards; the institution successfully defended its title by sweeping multiple accolades, extending its dominance at the National Agricultural Show for two decades.

The accolades were in recognition of its outstanding innovation and creativity towards comprehensive agricultural research innovations, environmental conservation and practical solutions for wealth creation.

“Through its strong blend of production, innovation, research, environmental conservation, public health preparedness, skills development, and community empowerment, UPS presented one of the most comprehensive exhibitions,” Desire Muhooza, the Minister of State for Agriculture, observed.

Muhooza, who hailed the level of innovation, organization, and professionalism exhibited by Prison’s department, particularly praised the practical demonstrations that presented how agriculture can be used as a tool for wealth creation and economic empowerment.

Desire Muhooza, the Minister of State for Agriculture presents an award to prison officers in recognition of their exceptional exhibition at the National Agricultural show in Jinja city recently. (Credit: Petride Mudoola)

“Prison’s regimented exhibition demonstrated how agriculture can drive food security, income generation, skills development and sustainable livelihoods, showcasing Agro-Processing Technologies and demonstrating how farmers can add value to agricultural products to increase profitability,” the Minister highly praised. 

The Innovation Village was one of the centres of attraction where UPS demonstrated how the Parish Development Model (PDM) Shs1 million investment can transform livelihoods and increase household income through integrated crop and animal production, Muhooza noted.

“The model offered practical lessons on how families can effectively utilise limited resources to build sustainable initiatives, thus improve standards of living,” the minister observed while touring the agricultural exhibition.

Muhooza also commended  UPS for its outstanding innovations and creativity, appealing to exhibitors to emulate the service’s strong focus on research and innovation to improve crop and livestock production, hence developing the agricultural sector. 

These efforts earned UPS the awards for Best Overall Winner, Best Livestock Demonstration Institution, Best Innovative Institution, and Best Farmer Field School, further strengthening its reputation as a leader in agricultural transformation and innovation in Uganda.

Samuel Akena, the Deputy Commissioner General, Uganda Prisons Service, told the minister that “Field School Methodologies provide practical learning opportunities for farmers while building materials for farm housing offer affordable and sustainable options for rural communities.”

“A key factor behind UPS's success was its strong focus on research and innovation, introducing visitors to several innovative projects that include Black Soldier Fly Farming for sustainable animal feed production, Charcoal Briquettes Manufacturing as an environmentally friendly energy solution, and a modern Grain Processing and Storage Facility aimed at reducing post-harvest losses to improve food quality,” Akena observed.

The Deputy Commissioner Generalof Prisons Samuel Akena explains a point to prisons officers during their tour of the Uganda Prisons Services stall at the 32nd National Agricultural show held in Jinja city recently. (Credit: Petride Mudoola)

One of the most admired sections was Prison Industries, where visitors viewed high-quality office and household furniture manufactured by prisoners; the display comprised of executive office desks, conference tables, sofas, dining sets, beds, wardrobes, bookshelves, church furniture, and other durable hardwood products.

Visitors were equally impressed by a wide range of artisan products, including leather shoes, bags, belts, doormats, carpets, barkcloth products, fabrics, and other handmade items that showcased creativity, craftsmanship and rehabilitation through skills development.

The Crop Demonstration Section highlighted UPS's large-scale agricultural production and seed multiplication programs involving maize, cotton, soybeans, and other strategic crops.

Visitors were taken through modern farming practices, fertiliser application, irrigation systems, horticulture, kitchen gardens, climate-smart agriculture, and value addition technologies. Food and cash crops, fruits, vegetables, cereals, legumes and crops were displayed to demonstrate Prisons service’s significant contribution to national food security.

Prison’s Livestock Section presented improved breeds of cattle, goats, sheep, pigs, rabbits, poultry and other livestock products.  

Demonstrations focused on animal health, breeding, pasture management, feeding systems, housing and modern livestock production practices.

UPS further showcased alternative livestock enterprises that included donkeys and camels, highlighting their economic and environmental benefits.

Through Agora Agriculture, a think tank initiative, UPS presented practical solutions and ideas for improving agricultural productivity and sustainability.

Extra innovations included the establishment of Tsetse Fly Traps for vector control, the use of Fertigation Technology to improve irrigation and fertiliser efficiency, and the Indigenous Microorganism (IMO) Piggery Project that promotes low-cost and environmentally friendly pig production.

Environmental sustainability featured prominently throughout the exhibition. UPS demonstrated environmental conservation practices such as tree planting, soil and water conservation, waste management, and sustainable farming methods.

The exhibition highlighted UPS’s preparedness in public health management through the display of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for Ebola Disease Control. Visitors were taken through key prevention, surveillance, screening, response, and infection control measures that help protect staff, inmates, and the public during disease outbreaks.