Gen. David Muhoozi, the Minister of State for Internal Affairs, has disclosed ongoing efforts by the Uganda Prisons Service (UPS) to expand prison accommodation, addressing concerns raised by Members of Parliament regarding congestion.
Since 2022, the government has initiated an expansion program, resulting in the construction of six new prisons in Ntungamo, Rukungiri, Lira, Mutuufu, Kamuli, and Kiruhura. Additionally, plans are underway to complete accommodation facilities in Kisoro, Ntwetwe, Isingiro, Maiha, Lukaya, Loro, Yumbe, Lwabenge, Koboko, Bamunanika, and Kigandalo in the 2023/2024 financial year.
During a plenary sitting chaired by Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa, Muhoozi presented an action report addressing various queries from MPs concerning matters within the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
However, Muhoozi noted budgetary challenges faced by the UPS, despite the pressing need to alleviate prison congestion. He highlighted budget cuts, reducing the development budget from sh37b in 2020/2021 to sh27b in 2023/2024.
The UPS seeks sh19b annually for constructing five new low-cost security prisons and sh33.3b for a regional Mini-Max prison, following the Kitalya model, with a capacity of 2,000 prisoners.
Muhoozi emphasized the strain caused by excess prisoner populations, surpassing the carrying capacity by a significant margin. With an average prison population of 75,707 inmates against a capacity of 20,321, congestion levels are projected at 396.8 percent.
Addressing MPs’ concerns regarding staff accommodation, Muhoozi reported the construction of 320 staff houses and expressed optimism about the sh1.4b allocated for staff accommodation in the 2023/2024 financial year, which is expected to alleviate congestion.
However, Muhoozi highlighted the need for sh46.5b to construct 900 additional housing units. Deputy Speaker Tayebwa referred Muhoozi’s report to the Committee on Defence and Internal Affairs for further scrutiny.
