The Uganda Prisons Services (UPS) has disclosed a concerning increase in the country’s prison population, reaching a worrisome level where four inmates share a space meant for one. The current inmate count stands at 77,592, up from 76,000 in December 2023, with 39,602 being convicts, 37,555 on remand, and 435 classified as debtors.
Frank Baine, the spokesperson for Uganda Prisons, attributes the surge in numbers, a 362.6 percent increase in congestion levels, to heightened crime during the festive season. He explains that the overstay of prisoners on remand, particularly for minor offenses, has contributed to the prolonged incarceration period. Inmates on minor offences, originally supposed to stay for two months, end up spending 2.9 months. Similarly, capital offenders, expected to stay for one and a half years on remand, often stay longer.
Baine emphasizes the urgency of addressing the rising numbers due to concerns about limited space in prison facilities. He notes that daily court session attendance in the previous year was recorded at 1,602.
The spokesperson also highlights a worrying warder-prisoner ratio, currently at 1:7 prisoners, falling short of the internationally recommended standard of 1:3 prisoners.
Despite these challenges, Baine commends the prison rehabilitation program for its positive impact on reducing reoffenders. Out of 100 rehabilitated prisoners, only 14 percent returned as reoffenders, while 86 percent did not. Approximately 35,000 inmates underwent rehabilitation programs throughout the previous year.