Commissioner General calls for prioritization of prisons sector budget to address congestion

The Commissioner General of Uganda Prisons Service, Johnson Byabashaija has warned of persistent congestion in prisons if there is no increase in budget allocation.

Commissioner General Johnson Byabashaija, along with Minister of State for Internal Affairs Gen. David Muhoozi and representatives from the Uganda Police Force, appeared before the Committee on Human Rights to address concerns regarding human rights and freedoms in Uganda for 2022, on Tuesday, July 4, 2023.

Byabashaija told legislators about the rising population of prisoners, reaching 76,248 in 2023, and expressed his concerns about the inadequate budget for the Prisons Service.

“Congestion in prisons will inevitably increase. Last year’s occupancy rate was 360 percent, while this year it has risen to 373 percent. Now, four people are forced to occupy the space meant for one person. This is the grim reality,” Byabashaija explained.

He pointed out that the budget allocation for food, maintenance, and clothing has not been increased for the 2023/2024 financial year.

The Commissioner General requested the Members of Parliament to allocate Shs10.8 billion for the construction of additional prisoners’ wards with proper sanitation facilities in the remaining 27 prisons.

The concern over prison congestion was raised by Hon. Florence Nambozo, the Member of Parliament for Sironko District, who specifically mentioned the appalling situation in Kitalya Maximum Security Prison in Wakiso District, stating that some individuals would prefer death over imprisonment.

Responding to another concern raised by Hon. Jennifer Mbabazi, Vice Chairperson of the Committee, Byabashaija addressed allegations of juveniles being housed with adult prisoners.

“We cannot ignore this matter. Children should not be sharing prisons with adults,” emphasized Mbabazi.

Byabashaija assured the Members of Parliament that there are no juveniles in adult prisons, explaining that all juveniles are sent to appropriate remand homes. However, he acknowledged that some slip through the cracks during age-determination processes conducted by the police and the judiciary.