Govt secures land for terror suspects prison
Sep 21, 2011
THE Government has secured 300 acres of land to set up a multi-functional prison for terror suspects.
By Petride Mudoola
THE Government has secured 300 acres of land to set up a multi-functional prison for terror suspects.
The disclosure was made by the Commissioner General of Prisons, Dr. Johnson Byabashaija.
Byabashaija said despite the increasing rate of crimes related to terror, Luzira Prison lacked specialised facilities to manage terror suspects.
He said the new detention centre would also accommodate cyber crime suspects and drug traffickers. Over sh80b is required for the new facility.
The multi-functional facility will be constructed in Kasanje close to the land expected to house Kigo Prison.
Byabashaija, however, said the Uganda Prisons Service was still waiting for the Ministry of Finance to approve the funds before construction starts.
He added that being an expensive project, Prisons hopes to work under a public-private partnership to develop the facility.
Byabashaija observed that terror suspects should not be kept as a group and must not mix with ordinary suspects or convicts.
He disclosed that since terror suspects were remanded at Luzira Prison, security had been beefed up. A phone-barring mechanism was installed and an access control system denying unauthorised persons entry was also put in place.
He explained that such measures were developed to improve security and safeguard custodians and the public from the suspects.
Recently, Prisons spokesperson Frank Baine expressed concern over lack of specialised skills to look after terror suspects.
He noted that prison warders were not trained to handle such convicts.
THE Government has secured 300 acres of land to set up a multi-functional prison for terror suspects.
The disclosure was made by the Commissioner General of Prisons, Dr. Johnson Byabashaija.
Byabashaija said despite the increasing rate of crimes related to terror, Luzira Prison lacked specialised facilities to manage terror suspects.
He said the new detention centre would also accommodate cyber crime suspects and drug traffickers. Over sh80b is required for the new facility.
The multi-functional facility will be constructed in Kasanje close to the land expected to house Kigo Prison.
Byabashaija, however, said the Uganda Prisons Service was still waiting for the Ministry of Finance to approve the funds before construction starts.
He added that being an expensive project, Prisons hopes to work under a public-private partnership to develop the facility.
Byabashaija observed that terror suspects should not be kept as a group and must not mix with ordinary suspects or convicts.
He disclosed that since terror suspects were remanded at Luzira Prison, security had been beefed up. A phone-barring mechanism was installed and an access control system denying unauthorised persons entry was also put in place.
He explained that such measures were developed to improve security and safeguard custodians and the public from the suspects.
Recently, Prisons spokesperson Frank Baine expressed concern over lack of specialised skills to look after terror suspects.
He noted that prison warders were not trained to handle such convicts.