Doctor Johnson Byabashaija, Commissioner General of Uganda Prisons has backed the proposal for the relocation of Luzira Prison, saying it is better to use such prime land for job creating projects, other than have it occupied by prisoners.
“This is something we should have done 20 years ago, because when Luzira was built, it was outside Kampala they started building in 1921 they completed it in 1927, now, it is in the middle of the city, we have industries around it, it is no longer a maxi prison. But this is too prime land, it is a place that should create jobs for our children, it shouldn’t be a place to keep people who have had conflict with the law. Our children must have a place to work,” Dr. Byabashaija said.
Byabashaija made the remarks while appearing before Parliament’s Human Rights Committee that was scrutinising the State of Human Rights in Uganda prisons report, where Polycarp Ogwari (Agule County) asked the Prisons officials to clarify on their stand regarding the latest plans by government to relocate Luzira prison to pave way for the construction of a five-star hotel by Chinese investors.
President Museveni approved a proposal from Chinese Investor Tian Tang of Tian Tiang Group to relocate Luzira Maximum Prison and redevelop the land into a five-star hotel. In a letter dated July 10, 2022, addressed to Internal Affairs Minister Gen Kahinda Otafiire, the President disclosed receiving the proposal from Tian Tang Group. The proposal involves transforming Luzira Prison into a five-star hotel with a conference center and relocating the prison to another designated area at the expense of the investors.
President Museveni directed Internal Affairs Minister Gen. Kahinda Otafiire to proceed with implementing the proposal, facilitating the relocation of Luzira Prison to a new site and initiating the construction of an International Conference and Commercial Hub Center on the vacated land.
Byabashaija further highlighted that Luzira Prison currently occupies 271 acres of land, having originally been situated on 360 acres. He emphasized the necessity of relocating the prison to a larger land size.
