'Rising number of convicts congesting Luzira prison'

By Petride Mudoola

The increasing number of convicts serving long-term sentences has contributed to congestion in Luzira Maximum Security Prison, the Commissioner General of Prisons Dr Johnson Byabashaija has said.

The detention facility constructed in 1924 was designed to accommodate only 600 prisoners. However, it currently accommodates over 8,000 captives.

The Prison comprises of the Upper Prison section and the Murchison Bay Group of prisons which includes the women’s prison.

 In an interview, Byabashaija told New Vison online that the Upper Prison singly accommodates 1266 convicts serving long term sentences. Of these, 420 inmates are on deathrow and 242 convicts each serving life imprisonment.

One person was sentenced to 70 years in prison; two detainees serving 65 yearrs each,19 prisoners are serving 50 yearrs each, 45 convicts each serving 25 years and another 37offenders serving 40 yearrs each.

 Byabashaija observed that, “Uganda Prison Services stands a congestion rate of 250%. The current congestion is more than you can bear, which calls for immediate intervention to ensure effective management.”

 Detention facilities face a big challenge related to overcrowding with Luzira Maximum Security Prison being the most congested. The pressure has got a big bearing on the rights of the inmates accommodated.

"The inadequate facilities  at the Prison  have also led to the high transmission  of communicable diseases  among prisoners  since  the Prison  lacks  isolation facilities  for those  with serious ailments such as tuberculosis,” the Prisons boss said.

 Despite the increasing   rate of long-term offenders in the facility, the Ministry of Public Service has not considered recruitment of more staff to cater for the growing population, he noted.

 Byabashaija explains that the work force is strained with managing long term offenders and as a result, prison authorities are likely to be forced to recruit more personnel in the next financial year.

 “We have already got a negative response from the Public Service and Ministry of Finance but we just have to recruit because if we do not employ, the public should expect these people back on the streets,” Byabashaija warned.

Previously,colonialists established prisons as areas for punishing individuals who happen to be in conflict with the law.

However the Prisons chief emphasized that he is determined to transform the detention centres from punitive centers to reformatory institutions.

He appealed to Government to consider infrastructural development for accommodation of long-term convicts to ensure that he achieves his goals.