Kampala prisons most congested, Ubos report shows

Kampala prisons are the most congested in the country according to a new report by the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (Ubos).

According to Ubos 2012 Statistical Abstract, a copy of which Daily Monitor has obtained, Kampala prisons which have a capacity of accommodating only 2,224 prisoners are holding 6,671 inmates.

This means that three prisoners occupy an area meant for one prisoner. Central region leads in the number of prisoners with 8,124, followed by northern with 6,664, western with 6,174 and eastern with 5,858.

The national occupancy rate in prisons is 222, implying that there are two prisoners in every space meant for one prisoner in the country.

These statistics are derived from latest surveys, censuses, and administrative record of ministries, departments and agencies and this latest one covers last year’s data.

The report also indicates that the total number of deaths in prisons increased by 3.4 per cent from 145 to 150 prisoners between 2010 and 2011. Kampala also registered the highest number of deaths in prisons last year, with 48 cases, down from 25 in 2010, followed by Masaka (12) and Kayunga(20).

In Eastern region, Jinja District leads in deaths in prisons (10) ,followed by Nakapiripirit and Soroti which registered two deaths each. Kabale District took the lead in the west with 13 deaths, followed by Mbarara(8). Fewer deaths were recorded in northern prisons with the entire region having only 14 cases last year.

In central region, Kampala also has the highest number of inmates on remand (3,561) and those convicted (3110) against its prisons capacity of 2,224, followed by Masaka (706 inmates on remand ) and 609 convicted. Lyantonde District had the least number with 34 and 27 inmates on remand and convicted respectively.

In eastern region, Jinja leads with 1628 (convicts) while 757 are on remand although prisons have a capacity to hold only 1343 inmates, creating an upsurge of 1,042 inmates.

According to statistics, in the north, Lira District has the most congested prisons, holding 1,280 inmates against its capacity of 304, followed by Pader (1,066), Gulu (1,033) and Arua (807).

Masindi District leads in the west with 1,521 people in prison compared to its capacity of 655 inmates, followed by Mbarara (1,151), Kasese( 898) and Bushenyi (525).

Source: Daily Monitor