The Uganda Prisons Service (UPS) has reported improvements in security, staff welfare, rehabilitation, access to justice and agricultural production during the Ministry of Internal Affairs Ministerial Annual Performance Review.
The review is bringing together agencies under the Ministry, including the Uganda Police Force, National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA), Government Analytical Laboratory (GAL) and others, to assess achievements and discuss plans for improving service delivery.
UPS reported that the inmate escape rate had dropped to 2.9 per 1,000 inmates, while the mortality rate reduced to 2.2 per 1,000 inmates. The Service attributed the improvement to better security equipment and improved clinical care.
On staff welfare, UPS completed 1,199 low-cost staff housing units, increasing the number of properly housed staff to 55.1%.
The Service also made progress in inmate education and rehabilitation. 4,177 inmates were supported in formal education, while 3,421 took part in adult and community education. A further 25,019 inmates received vocational skills training. Of these, 806 were trade-tested and awarded certificates, while 1,463 inmates were successfully reintegrated into society.
UPS also improved access to justice by installing virtual court facilities in 20 male prisons and one female prison. An average of 1,876 prisoners was safely transported each day to 270 courts.
Agricultural production also remained a key area of achievement. The Service produced 25,353 metric tons of maize grain for feeding prisoners, together with 1,845.01 metric tons of maize seed, 167.4 metric tons of sunflower seed, 225 metric tons of soybean seed and 4,051 bales of cotton.
Plans Ahead
Going forward UPS plans to expand prisoner accommodation through the Prisons Infrastructure Project to address the growing prison population and reduce congestion.
The Service also plans to construct 1,500 low-cost staff housing units every year using its internal Engineering Gang to address the remaining staff housing shortage.
UPS plans to improve production by establishing large-scale farming systems, including irrigation and modern machinery for the production of seed, grain and cotton, as well as furniture. The programme will be supported by approved export credit financing.
To address staffing and training needs, the Service plans to recruit staff based on the changing needs of the prison population and establish a modern training school at Kitalya.
UPS also plans to strengthen the use of non-custodial measures such as community service, explore parole options and pursue legal reforms to provide for mandatory remand periods. These measures are aimed at reducing congestion and improving the management of prisoners.
