The Commissioner General of Uganda Prisons, Dr. Johnson Byabashaija has told lawmakers that prisons across the country will continue to grapple with congestion if the sector’s budget is not prioritised.
Byabashaija, Minister of State for Internal Affairs, Gen. David Muhoozi and representatives from the Uganda Police Force appeared before the Committee on Human Rights to respond to queries on the state of human rights and freedoms in Uganda for 2022.
Dr. Byabashaija said that while the population of prisoners across the country has risen to 76,248 in 2023, the budget for the Prisons Service has retrogressed.
“Congestion in prisons has to increase, inevitably. The occupancy rate last year was 360 per cent against this year’s 373 per cent. Space of one person is now being occupied by four people. This is the reality,” Byabashaija said.
Dr. Byabashaija added that the budget for food, maintenance and clothing has not been increased in the 2023/2024 financial year
Byabashaija requested the MPs to allocate Shs10.8 billion towards construction of prisoners’ wards, fitted with water closets in the remaining 27 prisons.
Meanwhile, Committee Vice Chairperson, Jennifer Mbabazi asked Dr. Byabashaija to address allegations of shared facilities by adult prisoners with juveniles.
Dr. Byabashaija assured the MPs that there are no juveniles in the adult prisons, explaining that all juveniles are sent to remand homes.
“Court does not send juveniles to adult prisons, some slip through police and the judiciary during age determination and up in adult prisons,” he said.
Byabashaija calls for allocation Shs10.8b towards construction of prisoners’ wards
