Legislators have given varying responses to a suggestion by the Committee on Gender, Labour, and Social Development for the government to construct additional remand homes.
In a report presented to Parliament on October 5, 2023, by Committee Chairperson Hon. Flavia Kabahenda, it was proposed that more remand homes be established and existing ones expanded due to population growth.
Hon. Kabahenda mentioned that, apart from the Ihungu Remand Home in Masindi and Kapiringisa National Rehabilitation Centre, the remaining six facilities across the country are facing issues of overcrowding. She pointed out that overcrowding in these homes poses practical challenges such as infringing on the right to privacy and making access to basic necessities like soap and sanitary towels difficult.
Hon. Nelsa Avako (NRM, Yumbe District Woman Representative) expressed her support for the proposal, stating that having more remand homes would ensure adequate care for children affected by legal issues. She emphasized the importance of protecting and rehabilitating children in such situations.
Moroto District Woman MP, Hon. Stella Atyang, highlighted concerns about the delay in completing a remand home construction project in her district, which began in 2020 and was supposed to finish in 2022.
Hon. Barnabas Tinkasiimire (NRM, Buyaga West County) suggested that, in addition to expanding remand homes, the government should establish measures for transferring children in conflict with the law from areas without remand homes.
On the contrary, some legislators challenged the proposal. Hon. Denis Oguzu Lee called for the Ministry of Gender to investigate the underlying causes that lead children to engage in unlawful activities and work on transforming them into productive members of society.
Agago County MP, Hon. David Lagen, advocated for focusing on strengthening traditional family structures instead of building more remand homes. He expressed concerns that some children return from remand homes without significant transformation.
Minister for Gender, Labour and Social Development, Hon. Betty Amongi, prioritized the integration of children back into their communities over expanding the number of remand institutions. She argued that most remand homes have fewer than 200 children, and the best approach is to reunite them with their families.
The committee also provided recommendations regarding budgeting for educational services in all remand homes, improving the legal and policy framework for juvenile justice in Uganda, and increasing the budget for food and other supplies.
Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa directed that the recommendations be shared with relevant government departments for action. He also tasked the minister with presenting an action taken report to the House within three months.
