Kyadondo East Member of Parliament and Shadow Foreign Affairs Minister, Hon. Muwada Nkunyingi, has expressed deep concern over the state of prisoner welfare at Luzira Prison, particularly regarding the inadequate supply of clothing for long-term inmates.
During an official visit by the opposition Mps to the facility, Hon. Nkunyingi revealed that some inmates both on remand and convicted have spent over four years in prison with only one uniform to wear. He described the situation as inhumane and unacceptable in a country that claims to uphold human rights.
“How can a person wear one cloth for more than two years while in jail, if only prisons would ensure that people change uniforms. If they exceed at least one week in jail. We at home cant stay in one cloth for a week. This violates basic dignity.” he said
Even more telling, he added, was what the inmates shared with the visiting delegation. Many confessed that the popular yellow prison uniforms they had on during the MPs’ visit were borrowed from newly admitted prisoners, just to appear presentable for the occasion.
As of December 3, 2023, Uganda’s prison population stood at 76,467 inmates, significantly surpassing the official holding capacity of 20,996. This overpopulation results in an occupancy rate of approximately 364%, with some facilities operating at even higher rates. For instance, Isingiro Main Prison, designed to house 47 inmates, currently accommodates 377, reflecting an occupancy rate of 802%. Similarly, Yumbe Prison, with a capacity for 25 inmates, holds 192, translating to a 768% occupancy rate.
While the UPS is mandated to provide inmates with basic necessities, including clothing, budgetary constraints have hindered the fulfillment of this obligation.
In the 2023/24 financial year, the UPS requested UGX 8.574 billion to procure blankets but received only UGX 1 billion, leaving a shortfall of UGX 7.574 billion.
For the 2023/24 financial year, the service requested UGX 158.943 billion to cover various needs but received only UGX 79 billion, leaving a deficit of UGX 79.943 billion. This underfunding affects essential services, including food provision, maintenance, and clothing.
Similarly, the budget for prisoners’ mattresses remains an unfunded priority. These funding gaps have led to situations where inmates possess only one uniform for extended periods, sometimes exceeding two years. In some cases, inmates have resorted to borrowing uniforms from newly admitted prisoners to appear presentable during official visits.
The UPS has proposed constructing 16 new regional mini-max prisons, each designed to accommodate approximately 3,000 inmates, to alleviate congestion.
