The Minister of Internal Affairs Kahinda Otafiire has urged the government to prioritise the construction of new prison facilities and the recruitment of more judicial officers, saying these are the most effective ways to address Uganda’s worsening inmate congestion.
Appearing before Parliament’s Defence and Internal Affairs Committee during the consideration of the 2026/27 Ministerial Policy Statement for Uganda Prisons Services, Otafiire said delays in the justice system have left many suspects and convicts spending years on remand or awaiting case disposal, often exceeding the sentences they would have served if tried on time.
“We have in prison people who are convicted, who serve six months, but they have been in prison for three years because they don’t have enough resources to listen to these cases,” Otafiire said.
He warned that plea bargaining, often proposed as a remedy, places inmates in a difficult position where they must accept a criminal record even after enduring prolonged detention.
“Now, they can’t plea bargain because to plea bargain will be for themselves, you have been in jail for three years whereas you would have served six months,” he added.
He noted that the process does not necessarily deliver fair outcomes for those already disadvantaged by systemic delays.
Otafiire also expressed reservations about relying on parole as a primary solution, arguing that its implementation requires funding and supervision structures that are not yet in place.
“But then we need money to supervise those on parole, as well as the local governments, which money is not available,” he said.
He stressed that expanding physical prison space remains unavoidable given the current pressure on facilities.
Data presented by the Uganda Prisons Service shows the scale of the crisis, with the current inmate population standing at over 80,000 against an official holding capacity of just over 23,000, leaving an excess of more than 56,000 prisoners.
Undersecretary Samuel Emigu told the Defence and Internal Affairs Committee that the prison population is growing at an annual rate of seven percent, largely driven by prolonged remand periods.
“This increased population is against the holding capacity that we have of 23,184 prisoners,” Emigu said, warning that the number of inmates could rise to 111,822 by 2030 if no urgent measures are taken.
The prisons authority is now seeking Shs75.099 billion to construct 50 prison wards, three local security prisons and regional minimax facilities as part of efforts to ease congestion.
Deputy Commissioner General Samuel Akena said overcrowding has pushed the occupancy rate to 345 percent, meaning that spaces designed for one inmate are now shared by up to four people.
“For every single space we should have, it is being occupied by four people,” Akena said.
He described the congestion as the biggest operational and financial challenge facing the institution.
Meanwhile, the Minister of State for Internal Affairs David Muhoozi supported a combined approach, noting that addressing congestion will require reforms across the justice system, including reducing time spent on remand and improving case handling.
“I think we need more than one intervention,” Muhoozi said, pointing to the need to tackle delays before trial alongside expanding prison space.
Officials also indicated that the government is in the final stages of preparing regulations for the rollout of a parole system in the 2026 to 2027 financial year, which is expected to complement other measures once implemented.
