8 inmates escape from Mityana prison

By Luke Kagiri

The police in Mubende are hunting for eight prisoners, who escaped from Muyinayina prison.

Mubende district police commander, Enock Abaine, said they had managed to re-arrest five prisoners, who had also escaped from the prison on Saturday.

Abaine said that the incident occurred when the prison officials were taking 70 prisoners to fetch water from a well, on the prison farm. The well is about half a kilometer from the prison.

"As they returned, 14 of the prisoners escaped and hid in the maize garden. The armed guards attempted to pursue them but failed. They decided to keep the majority who had remained behind," Abaine explained.

He said the hunt for the escapees is still on, adding that with the help of residents, five prisoners were arrested later in the neighboring villages. These had grabbed clothes from the people this village, and were trying to escape.

"They shot volley of bullets to scare the prisoners but in vain. The prisoners instead tried to overpower the guards.  During the scuffle, one civilian was injured as the prisoners beat him and one of the prisoners died," Abaine explained.

He identified the deceased as Robert Kalule who has been on remand, on charges of aggravated robbery. His body had been released to relatives for burial on Tuesday.
Abaine added that, the fourteen prisoners were some of the prominent criminals who have for long been terrorizing residents in Mubende and Mityana district.

Muyinayina prison has over three hundred and fifty prisoners of capital offences. A few of them are on remand while others were convicted.

Prison officers on Tuesday paraded the re-arrested prisoners and said were to appear in court on Thursday. These include Herman Kabuye, Yassin Tindyebwa, Benon Ssekabira, Eria Kiwanuka and Abdu Kintu, all on charges of aggravated defilement and aggravated robbery.

Police named the missing prisoners as David Ssewakirunga, Kato Jjuuko and George Kayana on charges of murder, Sunday Ssekate, Shafik Sserubombwe, on charges of aggravated defilement, Abdu Kamuhanda, Peter Mugerwa and Richard Sseruwanda all on charges of aggravated robbery,.