The Uganda Prisons Service (UPS), in partnership with the International Development Law Organization (IDLO), has launched a five-day nationwide training program on the Sex Offender Treatment Program (SOTP) aimed at strengthening the rehabilitation and reintegration of sexual offenders.
The program, which has already benefited officers from the East Central, South Eastern, Eastern, Iganga and Mid Eastern regions, began with a session held at Jinja City, bringing together Rehabilitation and Re-integration Officers from across the country.
The training is part of Uganda Prisons Services broader strategy to professionalize correctional work and promote evidence-based rehabilitation. It seeks to equip officers with the knowledge and practical skills to effectively manage sexual offenders, address their behavioral needs, and facilitate their safe reintegration into society.
This initiative reflects Uganda Prisons Service continuous drive to transform correctional practices from mere confinement to purposeful rehabilitation that promotes behavioral change and public safety.
The sessions are conducted through a mix of lectures, group discussions, and case studies, providing participants with hands-on learning experiences. Officers are being trained to assess offenders’ psychological and social needs, implement targeted treatment interventions, and design reintegration plans aimed at reducing the risk of reoffending.
Sexual offenses remain a major concern in Uganda’s criminal justice system, with correctional facilities managing an increasing number of offenders convicted of such crimes.
This training program, therefore, represents a timely effort by the Uganda Prisons Service to strengthen its institutional capacity and promote a rehabilitative approach rooted in professionalism, integrity, and evidence-based practice.
Similar sessions have been scheduled for the remaining regions to ensure that all Rehabilitation and Re-integration Officers benefit.
By the end of the program, Uganda Prisons Service expects enhanced officer capacity, a deeper understanding of offender behavior, and strengthened reintegration mechanisms that promote both community safety and effective offender reform.
