Johnson Byabashaija, the Commissioner General of Uganda Prisons, has expressed support for the proposal to relocate Luzira Prison to Buikwe District.
According to Byabashaija, the prime land the prisons occupies could be better utilized for job creation projects rather than housing prisoners.
Byabashaija made these remarks during an appearance before Parliament’s Human Rights Committee, which was reviewing the State of Human Rights in Uganda Prisons report.
He emphasized that Luzira Prison, built in 1921 and completed in 1927, now finds itself in the middle of the city surrounded by industries, rendering it unsuitable as a maximum-security facility.
Byabashaija suggested that the land should instead be used to create employment opportunities for the youth.
“This is something we should have done 20years ago, because when Luzira was put, it was outside Kampala they started building in 1921 they completed it in 1927, now, it is in the middle of the city, we have industries around it, it is no longer a maxi prison. But this is too prime land, it is a place that should create jobs for our children, it shouldn’t be a place to keep people who have had conflict with the law. Our children must have where to work,” said Byabashaija
His comments followed a question by one of the members on the committee, Polycarp Ogwari (Agule County) who asked the Prisons officials to clarify on plans by Government to relocate Luzira prison to pave way for the construction of a five star hotel by Chinese investors.
The fate of Luzira Maximum Prison hangs in the balance as discussions regarding its potential relocation to make way for a five-star hotel, reportedly backed by Chinese investors, continue at the ministerial level. Meetings to kick off negotiations on the matter officially start on March 06, 2024.
The Attorney General and the Minister of Internal Affairs are scheduled to meet on March 6, 2024, to finalize negotiations and determine the way forward in the Luzira Maximum Prison relocation process.
Frank Baine, spokesperson for the Uganda Prisons Services, recently clarified that an official statement regarding the prison’s future will be issued once discussions are concluded. He directed inquiries to the Attorney General, Minister of Internal Affairs, or the Office of the President for further information.
However, this move has raised mixed reactions from the public with some activists calling for the land not to be sold.
Rumors about the prison’s transformation into a luxury hotel surfaced after reports emerged that President Museveni had received a proposal from the Tian Tang Group in 2022. The proposal suggested converting the prison into a hotel and relocating it to a new area, a concept reportedly supported by the President.
Minister of Internal Affairs Kahinda Otafire confirmed in a letter dated February 22, 2024, that negotiations were underway to acquire land for Luzira’s relocation. The government had identified land in Buikwe for the new prison site, with plans to purchase a portion of it.
However, complications arose regarding the land acquisition process, as the family from whom the land was being purchased had not obtained administrative letters since 1928. The involvement of the Attorney General was sought to facilitate the procurement of these administrative documents.
Luzira Maximum Security Prison, located in Nakawa Division, is currently the only maximum-security prison in Uganda and houses the country’s death row inmates. Originally designed for 1,700 inmates, it currently holds close to 8,000 prisoners.
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