Jailed former prison''s boss gets special status

By Petride Mudoola

The Commissioner General of Prison , Dr. Johnson Byabashaija, has granted special status to Anthony Okwonga, 80, the jailed former Officer in Charge of Upper Prison and 25 inmate leaders who are about to complete their sentences.

In 1998, the High Court at Arua sentenced Okwonga to death. He was a resident of Angal village, Nyaravur Division, Nebbi District. Okwonga and others still at large were found guilty of murdering Veneranda Pinyanga, and kidnap with intent to murder Jurodano Onen.

A case Okwonga denies insisting his accusers framed him to frustrate his political ambitions.

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The Associate chaplain St John's church Luzira Prisons, Davis Kiconco leads inmates through prayers at the Thanksgiving ceremony.

However, on June 13, 2005, Okwonga's sentence was commuted to life imprisonment when Susan Kigula and 417 death row inmates petitioned the Constitutional Court against the death penalty.

The Constitutional Court ruled that prisoners, who have been on death row for more than three years should have their sentence commuted to life imprisonment.

Having spent seven years on death row, Okwonga's sentence was commuted from death to life imprisonment but was not considered for possibility of early release.

While in jail, Okwonga teaches inmates who did not have the opportunity to attain education.

It was due to his exemplary discipline and selfless service that Prison's Chief deemed it fit to recognize him.

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Okwonga conducts a Christian Religious Education class with inmates of Upper Prison

Okwonga and the inmate leaders who were granted special status will no longer be restricted from moving out of the prison premises. Although they are capital offenders, they will move without the escort of prison warders.

"Different from other prisoners who engage in farm work, previously, capital offenders detained at Upper Prison did not have the privilege to move out of the prison premises unless one has been referred to Mulago for medication or is meant to attend court sessions," Okwonga said.

Recently, the inmate leaders held a Thanksgiving serving at St John's Prison chapel at Luzira where Okwonga thanked God for having kept him alive in prison despite the challenges he faces behind bars.

"As prisoners, we face many challenges, but despite the hurdles we go through, I thank God for having kept me alive yet many of my friends and colleagues I left home have passed away," Okwonga stated.

"Some of us were wrongfully convicted because there is no one out there to help us," he claimed.

Johnson Kamya Wavamuno, 57, who is serving a life sentence for murder, commended Byabashaija for granting them special status.

"Moving without being guarded is a very big opportunity for a person like me who has been in prison for the last 20 years.

Although I am still under custody, I feel the chains have been loosened," Wavamuno said.