Uganda Prisons Service (UPS), in partnership with the International Development Law Organization (IDLO), has successfully concluded a three-day Sex Offenders Treatment Guide (SOTG) training in Arua, equipping prison officers and social workers with practical knowledge and skills to improve the assessment, management, rehabilitation and reintegration of sex offenders.
The training brought together officers from the North Western Region as part of Uganda Prisons Service's continued commitment to professional correctional services, evidence-based rehabilitation and public safety. The PROGRAM sought to strengthen the capacity of prison staff to implement structured rehabilitation interventions that promote behavioral change and support the successful reintegration of offenders into society.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, the PROGRAM Coordinator from Uganda Prisons Service Headquarters, Principal Rehabilitation and Reintegration Officer Ms. Jane Nakalika, expressed appreciation to IDLO for its continued partnership in advancing offender rehabilitation PROGRAMs across the country.
She commended the participants for their discipline, commitment and active engagement throughout the training, urging them to apply the knowledge and practical skills acquired in their respective stations to improve rehabilitation outcomes.
The knowledge gained during this training should translate into better rehabilitation services that prepare offenders for responsible and productive lives after release," she noted.
The Regional Prisons Commander for the North Western Region, Assistant Commissioner of Prisons (ACP) Leni Ndori, applauded the Commissioner General of Prisons for his open-door leadership, which has strengthened collaboration between Uganda Prisons Service and development partners.
He also thanked IDLO for its unwavering support towards institutional capacity building, noting that such partnerships continue to improve service delivery within the correctional system.
ACP Ndori called upon Officers in Charge of prisons to champion professional offender rehabilitation by treating inmates with humanity, fairness, discipline and professionalism while maintaining security and accountability.
"Effective rehabilitation is built on respect for human dignity, professional conduct and evidence-based correctional practices that encourage positive behavioral change," he said.
Speaking on behalf of the participants, Senior Superintendent of Prisons (SSP) Herbert Muhangi, Officer in Charge of Arua Main Prison, described the training as timely and transformative.
He thanked IDLO for supporting the PROGRAM, the facilitators for delivering practical and insightful sessions, and the Regional Prisons Commander for ensuring a conducive learning environment throughout the three-day exercise.
SSP Muhangi also applauded fellow participants for their dedication, teamwork and commitment to enhancing professional correctional practice.
Representing the PROGRAM Director of IDLO, Mr. Galiwango Isaac reaffirmed the organization's commitment to supporting Uganda Prisons Service in strengthening offender rehabilitation and institutional capacity.
He commended the Commissioner General of Prisons for promoting an open-door policy that has fostered productive partnerships and recognized the efforts of the UPS PROGRAM Coordinator in successfully organizing the training.
Mr. Isaac further praised the participants for their enthusiasm, discipline and commitment, expressing confidence that the knowledge acquired would contribute to improved rehabilitation services across the region.
The successful completion of the training highlights the growing partnership between Uganda Prisons Service and IDLO in building a modern correctional system founded on professionalism, human rights, accountability and evidence-based rehabilitation.
Through continuous capacity building and strategic collaboration with development partners, Uganda Prisons Service remains committed to transforming offenders into responsible citizens, reducing reoffending and contributing to safer and more secure communities.
