Ex-inmate refuses to leave Luzira prison

A former prisoner stunned authorities when he declined to leave prison after being discharged upon completion of his sentence.

Saddam Mugamba, 18, wasdischarged from Luzira Maximum Security Prison on June 21, but was rejected after he tried to re-unite with his family, prompting him to go back to the detention facility.

Mugamba said he was arrested after stealing a bicycle.

Mugamba, a chapatti seller then, said he was detained at Kabalagala Police Station for 14 days.

He was later taken to the Magistrates Court in Makindye and sent to Luzira Prison on remand for three months.

“After serving my sentence, I was discharged. However, when I went back home, I was rejected by my brother and community. They said I might rob them,” Mugamba said.

“When I was in prison, I never missed a meal or failed to bathe.

But now I can hardly access water or food,” the teenager lamented. Due to lack of accommodation, the teenager resorted to sleeping in kiosks and makeshifts, but realized that his life was in danger and decided to return to the detention facility for protection.

According to custodial rules and regulations, prison authorities are mandated to discharge a detainee upon completion of their sentence.

Further detention after the sentence amounts to misimprisonment.

This means an ex-prisoner can sue prison authorities in case of further detention.

The prison’s spokesperson, Frank Baine, said: “The prison department is mandated to take custody of prisoners who are in possession of commitment warrants from court. We do not accommodate ex-prisoners unless they happen to commit another crime.