Prisons highlights festive season calm, escape incident, and return of visitations
The Uganda Prisons Service (UPS) has given an update on its operations and how the festive season fared.
The Uganda prisons say they had peaceful Festive Season though had escape attempts in some prisons.
Keep Reading
UPS commended its staff, prisoners, and security agencies for maintaining peace during the Christmas and New Year celebrations.
However, the festive season was disrupted by escape attempts involving four prisoners from facilities in Dokolo, Iganga, and Murchison Bay.
Tragically, during the recapture of one escapee, Turyamureba Ronald, aged 26, from Fort Portal Main Prison, the convict succumbed to bullet wounds. Turyamureba had been charged with rape prior to the incident.
UPS reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring the safety and security of both inmates and the general public, while expressing regret over the fatality during the recapture.
After peaceful celebrations, the Uganda Prisons Service announced that prisoner visitation resumed on Friday, January 3, 2025. However, the standby class period will remain in effect until January 18, 2025, as part of ongoing operational measures.
UPS encourages members of the public to adhere to visitation guidelines and expresses its continued dedication to providing humane and secure conditions for inmates across the country.
In a press statement by Frank Baine Mayanja, Senior Commissioner of Prisons and Deputy Director of the Service, it states the current prison population standing at 78,824 inmates. 40,803 are convicted prisoners, 37,476 on remand, and 545 debtors.
Additionally, 280 children are accommodated in 269 prison units across 19 regions.
The Uganda Prisons Service is supported by 14,021 staff members, ensuring the management and security of the prison system.
