The proposal to relocate Luzira Prisons to make room for the construction of a five-star hotel has sparked a contentious debate among Members of Parliament (MPs) in Uganda.
Minister of State for Internal Affairs, Gen. David Muhoozi, presented three options to address the situation, including renovating and expanding the current Luzira facilities, relocating the prison at government expense while retaining the land for other purposes, and relocating Luzira Prisons to another site.
Speaker Anita Among raised valid concerns regarding previous instances where the government allocated land to investors, only for the projects to fail to materialize, such as in the cases of Shimoni, Naguru, and Nsambya. She urged the government to reveal the identity of the proposed investor for transparency and accountability purposes.
“We have seen land being given away and there is no development and so there is lack of trust. That is the biggest issue here. When there is no trust even when you have a good idea, they will not buy into it,” said Speaker Among.
Minister David Muhoozi defended the proposal to relocate Luzira Prisons, citing the severe overcrowding and outdated infrastructure of the current facilities. He emphasized that Luzira Prison, established during the colonial era when Uganda’s population was much smaller, is now holding far more inmates than its capacity allows. Muhoozi argued that prisoners can be housed anywhere in Uganda as long as they have access to necessary services, such as courts and hospitals.
Highlighting the strategic location of Luzira Prisons in Kampala and its potential for development, Muhoozi proposed releasing the prime land for investment, which could lead to job creation, foreign exchange earnings, increased tax revenue, and economic growth. He mentioned a proposal involving an investor who would invest $249 million (approximately Shs934 billion) in the relocation process, presenting an opportunity for the government to acquire better infrastructure for the prison service at no cost to taxpayers.
Muhoozi’s stance suggests a pragmatic approach to addressing the challenges faced by Luzira Prisons, balancing the need for modern facilities and the potential benefits of releasing the prime land for investment. However, Speaker Anita Among’s concerns underscore the importance of transparency and accountability in such significant land deals, especially considering past failures in similar ventures. Ultimately, the decision will require careful consideration of both the immediate needs of the prison service and the long-term development goals of the country.
“Prisoners can be kept anywhere in Uganda, provided they have access to Courts of law, hospitals, and prisons visits by relatives. The transport network in and around Kampala metropolitan area has tremendously improved, and customized security vehicles can easily be acquired to secure prisoners in transit to access justice and other services. Cheaper land can easily be identified. Modern infrastructure would then be constructed to accommodate most of the major activities currently being handled at Luzira. This will not only solve the congestion problem, but will also offer better humane conditions, rehabilitation and friendly facilities,” said General Muhoozi.
Adding that :“Luzira Group of Prisons is approximately 260 acres, strategically located in Kampala Capital City Authority, and a prime urban area, along the shores of Lake Victoria with excellent scenery. It sits next to the railway line connecting Kampala to Lake Victoria, which is Kampala’s only inland harbor at Portbell. The principal consideration at the time, was security as Luzira could only be accessed from one point. However, currently, with the mentioned developments and constraints of space and implied high security risks, this can no longer justify its continued existence in the present location, said Minister Muhoozi.
However, skepticism and reservations were expressed by several MPs regarding these proposals.
Hon. Asuman Basalirwa raised concerns about the motives behind the relocation, suggesting it might be a guise to grab land. He also questioned the credibility of the Tian Tang Group proposing the hotel construction, citing their blacklisted status and heavy indebtedness.
Other MPs, like Hon. Elijah Okupa and Hon. Eric Musana, questioned the necessity of such a vast expanse of land for a hotel and advocated against the relocation, proposing alternative solutions such as finding land elsewhere for development.
Hon. Jane Avur proposed Pakwach as an alternative location for the hotel, emphasizing the potential for tourism development in the area.
Concerns were also raised about giving away prime land for free, with some MPs suggesting that if necessary, a portion of the land could be sold off to fund the reconstruction of the prisons at Luzira.
However, not all MPs opposed the relocation. Hon. Fredrick Angura supported the proposal, citing the global trend of correctional facilities being located outside city centers and expressing concern about Luzira being encroached upon by urbanization.
Speaker Anita Among acknowledged the need for further deliberation on the matter and agreed with the proposal to present a substantive motion regarding the relocation of the prisons.
The Leader of Opposition, Hon. Joel Ssenyonyi, highlighted the issue of trust, emphasizing that previous instances of land allocation without subsequent development have eroded public confidence in such initiatives.
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