The Minister of State for Internal Affairs, Hon Juma Witonze Kisekka, together with the Parliamentary Committee on Defence and Internal Affairs, has concluded an oversight visit to the Kitalya Prisons Complex – Central Region, commending the Uganda Prisons Service (UPS) for its work in rehabilitation, vocational training and self-reliance.
The delegation was welcomed by the Deputy Commissioner General of Prisons, Samuel Akena, and the top leadership of Uganda Prisons Service.
During the visit, the delegation inspected proposed sites where the Service plans to establish a modern Prisons Academy and Training School at Kitalya.
The planned facility will include a modern shooting range, parade and physical training grounds, administration and academic blocks, an auditorium, accommodation for trainees, housing for trainers and other specialised training facilities.
The delegation also visited proposed sites for new prison industries, including leather and shoe-making, furniture, textile and garment production facilities and the projects are intended to provide inmates with practical skills and support their rehabilitation and preparation for life after prison.
At Kitalya Mini Max Prison, the delegation toured the garment and tailoring workshops, where inmates produce uniforms for prisoners and staff.
The workshop has 89 modern sewing machines, as well as garment-cutting, interlocking and embroidery machines and the delegation was informed that inmates, under the guidance of trained prison officers, produce about 1,520 inmates’ uniforms and 200 staff uniforms per working day.
The MPs also visited the inmates’ school, which has a computer laboratory, library and classrooms serving both primary and secondary learners.
Meanwhile, the Uganda Prisons Service has raised alarm over severe overcrowding, with the prison population reaching 83,682 inmates against an approved capacity of 23,437, representing an occupancy rate of 357 percent.
The Deputy Commissioner General of Prisons Samuel Akena also revealed that the service is operating with only 14,756 staff against an approved establishment of 39,462, leaving officers overstretched and struggling to fully execute their duties.
