Prisoners' annual food bill hits sh70b 

Mar 15, 2017

Prisons currently operate at 312% of the official capacity, imposing a hefty burden on the state and the prisons services

As a result of the long pre-trial detention period, the current prisoners' food bill in Uganda has hit sh70b, according to a report.

The report on the plight of pre-trial detainees in Uganda titled ‘Justice Delayed is Justice Denied' showed that the cost of feeding an inmate  is sh1.35m a year.

Lizet Vlamings the head of research at Foundation for Human Rights Initiative (FHRI) while presenting the report said 52% of the prison population constitute pre-trial detainees, contributing to the extreme and steady congestion in prisons.

"With the current prisons population at 51,882 inmates, this exceeds sh70b each year," Vlamings explained.

The report that was prepared by FHRI was released by the head of the criminal division of High Court Justice Wilson Kwesiga in Kampala.

The report presents the findings of a nine-month research project carried out in the situation of pre-trial detention in Uganda between June 2016 and February 2017.

The Uganda Prisons Services spokesperson, Frank Baine, noted that the prisons currently operate at 312% of the official capacity, imposing a hefty burden on the state and the prisons services.

"Out of the 51,882 prisoners, a total 26,000 are pre-trial detainees; this deters the service programmes that include rehabilitation and transportation of suspects," he explained.

ustice ohn ilson wesiga  looks on while  executive director ivingstone ewanyana speaks during the launch of the report at otel fricana hoto by ary ansiimeJustice John Wilson Kwesiga (R) looks on while FHRI executive director Livingstone Sewanyana speaks during the launch of the report at Hotel Africana. Photo by Mary Kansiime

 

Baine said the prisons is recommended to accommodate 20,000 people but with the current situation the services are in the dilemma.

"Apart from the burden of feeding the inmates, we are also hit with problem of providing other necessities to the prisoners that include transportation, accommodation, health services and education," he explained.

According to Baine, Prisons grow their food but get supplementary budget from the government.

"The government foots all the bills, we spend on the prisoners which include feeding, accommodation, medical care among others," he explained.

Justice Kwesiga said the situation impacts greatly on the economy and other aspects of life.

"Recent innovations in the judiciary which include plea bargain have helped in reducing the number of pre-trial detainees," he said.

He added that among other interventions the judiciary is embarking on increasing the number of judicial staff.

"Inadequate human resource has hampered the institution's delivery of services in the past but government has hence forth moved to beef up the sector with adequate staffing," he noted.

Kwesiga also revealed that the judiciary is soon embarking on the field court program that is also aimed at administering justice and decongest the prisons.

"A new program is in offing where the judicial officers would visit the various prisons in Uganda to hold trial sessions. This will help in not only decongesting the prisons but also speed justice to the innocent," he said.

Dr. Livingstone Sewanyana, the executive director FHRI, recommended the allocation of more budgetary resources to the state brief scheme to enhance the remuneration for state brief lawyers.

 

"Allocation of more budgetary resources to the Prisons and Police to improve existing infrastructure and the quality of detention facilities and services across the country," he said.

Sewanyana also called for the appointment of legal and human rights officers and strengthening their capacity to enhance effective monitoring of compliance with legal safeguards, particularly the 48-hour rule and provision of Police bond.

"Strengthen the capacity of the human rights committees in prisons to ensure pre-trial detainees are aware of their legal rights and related procedures," he explained.

He added that the review of Article 23 of the constitution to stipulate a definite period of detention after committal to the High Court.

The report also focused on violations of the rights to liberty and fair hearing, and looks into trends, root causes and impact of excessive and lengthy pre-trial detention, both in Police custody and in prisons.

The report indicates that 28% of suspects on petty offences (3,614 prisoners) are detained beyond the constitutional time limit of 60 days while 20% of suspects on capital offences (628 prisoners) are detained beyond the constitutional time limit of 180 days.

A total of 2,024 prisoners committed to the High Court spend three or more years in detention awaiting trial according to the research.

The report revealed that pre-trial detainees are particularly vulnerable to human rights violations including arbitrary arrest and detention, and the risk to torture and other cruel, inhumane or degrading treatment.

The report interviewed 195 with suspects and inmates, representatives of justice law and order institutions, legal aid service providers and academia in 15 districts of Uganda.

These include Arua, Bugiri, Bundibugyo, Bushenyi, Kabarole, Gulu, Iganga, Kasese, Kampala, Koboko, Lira, Mbale, Mbarara, Namutumba and Nebbi districts.

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