The Prisons Department is concerned over increasing cases of HIV infections among prison inmates following the latest medical report.
Prisons Spokesperson, Frank Baine, says that the rate of infection among female inmates has risen to 13 percent, while at least 11 percent of the male inmates are also HIV positive. The Uganda Prisons Sero-Behavioral Survey Report reveals that out of the 47 new infections confirmed in the prisons countrywide, 50 percent (23) contracted the virus while in jail. for more than 6 months.
“The truth is that the prevalence of HIV in prison according to this report is higher than the normal. While the normal is 6,5 percent, for the female prisoners is 13 percent and the male prevalence stands at 11 percent” he says
Baine says increased cases can be attributed to reckless behaviors from inmates while in jail or prior to imprisonment.
The report attributes the infections to among other factors risky behavior and lifestyles, injurious violent incidents that contribute to the disease transmission,
According to the report, 1,315 inmates are infected with HIV out of a total of 71,345 prisoners.
On July 06, 2023, legislators debated a report by the Committee on HIV/AIDS on assessing the high HIV prevalence rates and the accessibility of HIV service delivery in police and prisons.
The report indicated that high prevalence of HIV in prisons is attributed to risky behaviors, violent incidents and potentially acts of homosexuality.
Sarah Netalisire said committee was not able to independently verify the occurrence of homosexuality due to the secrecy surrounding the practice, but recommended further investigation.
“Prisoners have experienced issues of homosexuality in prisons and therefore, looking at the survey that was conducted by the prisons themselves, it made the committee confirm that homosexuality is taking place in prisons,” she said.
Netalisire also highlighted the poor treatment of HIV patients in police custody, with privacy and adherence to treatment being major concerns.