The Uganda Prisons Service, established under Article 215 of the Constitution of Uganda, is mandated to provide safe, secure, and humane custody for offenders, with a strong emphasis on protecting human rights. The Service is responsible for the welfare, reformation, and rehabilitation of prisoners, as well as ensuring that their rights are protected, promoted, and fulfilled during incarceration.
The primary functions of the Uganda Prisons Service include maintaining humane and secure custody for legally detained individuals, presenting them in court when required, and facilitating their social rehabilitation through training and educational programs. The Service also supports the reintegration of prisoners into society, assigns work necessary for effective prison management, and performs additional duties as assigned by the Minister in consultation with the Prisons Authority.
The Uganda Prisons Service operates under several legal and policy frameworks, including Article 215 of the Constitution, the Prisons Act of 2006, and the United Nations Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Offenders (1955). The Service runs various programs, such as prison farms, industries, rehabilitation, and welfare services, which contribute to the correctional and vocational training of inmates.
Notable prison projects include furniture production, metal works, art and craft, painting, and tailoring. These initiatives not only provide skills training for inmates but also contribute to the management and sustainability of the Service.
Recent achievements include the recruitment and training of 6,065 warders and wardresses, along with 129 Cadet Principal Officers and 170 Cadet Assistant Superintendents of Prisons (ASPs). The Prisons SACCO was strengthened, increasing membership from 6,874 to 10,271, representing 94.2% of the staff, with an asset base of UGX 7.02 billion. Additionally, an irrigation scheme was piloted at Bulaula Prison farm to mitigate the effects of drought on 150 acres.
Challenges facing the Service include overcrowding in prisons, which the service aims to address by expanding existing facilities and promoting alternative sentencing options.