Prisons boss speaks out on Moroto jail break

PRISON BREAK   SECURITY

Some of the over 200 prisoners who on Wednesday escaped from Moroto Government prison, were COVID-19 contacts who were waiting for their results, the Commissioner-General of Prison Dr Johnson Byabashaija has said. 

Byabashaija also confirmed they had recaptured three fugitives, one was killed and that the pursuit was still on.

"We had a breakout in Moroto. 14 guns were taken. We have recaptured 3 of the fugitives alive. One has been put out of action. Pursuit continues. It's a matter of time. A very unfortunate incident indeed. Unfortunately, those who escaped are Covid-19 suspects who were waiting for their results," Byabashaija said.

Over 200 prisoners on Wednesday took advantage of a slight shower to break out of Moroto Government Prison and stole 14 guns from the prison armoury.

The group then divided itself into three and decided to escape by scaling the Mount Moroto. 

By Wednesday evening, the Uganda People's Defence Forces led by the 3rd Division Commander Brigadier Joseph Balikuddembe and Police led by the Mt. Moroto Regional Police Commander Gerald Twishimye were and still hunting for the armed prisoners.

Sources confirmed that one soldier who was pursuing the prisoners lost his life after he was shot at by the fugitives.

Three helicopters were deployed on Wednesday to assist in the hunt including a helicopter gunship and images captured aboard the choppers showed prisoners still dressed in their yellow uniforms scattered in the shrubs in different directions as they climbed the mountain. 

The search was however called off at night and resumed on Thursday morning. There had also been reinforcements for both the army, police and prison authority to ensure the fugitives are apprehended.

Sources who spoke to the New Vision attributed the prison break to failure in the prison authorities to invest in intelligence and also stress among prisoners after the prison was partially locked down after 30 inmates tested positive for Covid-19.

Those that tested positive were transferred to Jinja while the rest were quarantined.

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