The Uganda Prisons Service (UPS) has formally decorated 269 senior officers during a piping ceremony held at the Prisons Academy and Training School (PATS) Grounds in Luzira, marking another milestone in the institution’s ongoing efforts to strengthen leadership, professionalism and service delivery.
The officers had earlier been promoted by His Excellency the President on the advice of the Prisons Authority in accordance with Section 10(c) of the Prisons Act and Article 215 of the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda.
The promoted officers included five Senior Commissioners of Prisons, six Commissioners of Prisons, 20 Assistant Commissioners of Prisons, 27 Senior Superintendents of Prisons, 34 Superintendents of Prisons, 134 Senior Assistant Superintendents of Prisons and 43 Assistant Superintendents of Prisons.
Presiding over the ceremony, the Commissioner General of Prisons Can. Dr. Johnson Byabashaija congratulated the officers upon attaining higher ranks and reminded them that promotion brings increased responsibility, accountability and expectations for improved performance.
He emphasized the importance of discipline, professionalism, dedication to duty, leadership and innovation, noting that the Uganda Prisons Service is increasingly focusing on officers who can develop practical solutions to institutional challenges and contribute to the modernization of correctional services.
Dr. Byabashaija also outlined ongoing plans to strengthen staff welfare through the development of a comprehensive health policy. The initiative is expected to address emerging health concerns among staff, particularly non-communicable diseases, while promoting a healthier and more productive workforce.
The Deputy Commissioner General of Prisons Mr. Samuel Akena challenged the newly promoted officers to use their positions to strengthen service delivery, provide effective leadership and support the growth of junior officers through mentorship and guidance.
Assistant Commissioner General of Prisons and Director of Human Resource Management, Mr. Hillary Bisanga, said the promotion exercise was conducted through established promotion boards to ensure fairness, transparency and consistency with the Service’s operational requirements.
According to Mr. Bisanga, the assessment process considered annual confidential reports, prison statistical reports, supervisors’ recommendations and records maintained under the Human Resource Information Management System. The objective was to ensure that promotions reflected merit, performance and institutional needs.
Speaking on behalf of the promoted officers, Senior Commissioner of Prisons Mr. Stephen Lugonda expressed appreciation to the appointing authority and the leadership of the Uganda Prisons Service for the confidence entrusted in them. He noted that ongoing institutional reforms, mentorship and staff development programs had created opportunities for career growth and professional advancement within the Service.
The newly promoted officers pledged to continue serving with loyalty, integrity and professionalism while contributing to the achievement of the Service’s strategic objectives.
The piping ceremony comes shortly after the Uganda Prisons Service promoted nearly 5,000 junior officers, a move aimed at strengthening human resource capacity across the institution.
The promotions form part of the broader Human Resource Strategy of the Uganda Prisons Service, which seeks to build a professional, motivated and capable workforce that can effectively respond to the evolving demands of correctional services while enhancing the Service’s mandate of providing safe, secure and humane custody.
