Prisons crowded â€" Human rights report
Oct 19, 2009
UGANDA prisons are congested, with some accommodating thrice their capacity. The population in the central prisons has risen by 113%, beyond the established capacity, according to a report on the state of human rights in Uganda.
By Josephine Maseruka
UGANDA prisons are congested, with some accommodating thrice their capacity. The population in the central prisons has risen by 113%, beyond the established capacity, according to a report on the state of human rights in Uganda.
At the time of inspection by the Uganda Human Rights Commission in December 2008, the population was 19,676 against the capacity of 9,636.
The report listed Nyamushekyera in Bushenyi, Ndorwa in Kabale, Kakika in Mbarara, Ntungamo, Kiruhura, Masaka and Muinaina in Mubende as the most congested prisons.
The report also shows that congestion is worst in Police cells in Karamoja.
The Uganda Prisons Services attributes the congestion to limited prison facilities and inefficiency in getting justice.
The human rights commission recommended that the Government builds more prisons, renovates and expands the existing ones.
The human rights body also said congestion had led to a depressing effect on prisoners and had undermined the rehabilitation programmes.
The human rights body also urged the Government to construct juvenile remand homes and increase funding to the department.
UGANDA prisons are congested, with some accommodating thrice their capacity. The population in the central prisons has risen by 113%, beyond the established capacity, according to a report on the state of human rights in Uganda.
At the time of inspection by the Uganda Human Rights Commission in December 2008, the population was 19,676 against the capacity of 9,636.
The report listed Nyamushekyera in Bushenyi, Ndorwa in Kabale, Kakika in Mbarara, Ntungamo, Kiruhura, Masaka and Muinaina in Mubende as the most congested prisons.
The report also shows that congestion is worst in Police cells in Karamoja.
The Uganda Prisons Services attributes the congestion to limited prison facilities and inefficiency in getting justice.
The human rights commission recommended that the Government builds more prisons, renovates and expands the existing ones.
The human rights body also said congestion had led to a depressing effect on prisoners and had undermined the rehabilitation programmes.
The human rights body also urged the Government to construct juvenile remand homes and increase funding to the department.