By Guest Writer
UHRC inspection links overcrowding to justice gap as inmates allege torture and region grapples with no remand home.
While Inspecting Masaka Central Government Prison under our Masaka Regional Office, the Uganda Human Rights Commission has established that the lack of a High Court in Lwengo District is fueling severe congestion in Masaka Prison.
Our team was led by Hon. Shifrah Lukwago, on behalf of the Chairperson. She was supported by fellow Members of the Commission; Hon. Crispin Kaheru, Hon. Simeo Nsubuga; the Director Regional Services Ms. Sarah Nakhumitsa, the Regional Head Ms. Justin Nambi Kasujja plus support staff from Head Office and Masaka Regional Office.
According to the Regional Prisons Commander, ASP Phelix Mugasa, prisoners from Lwengo District are contributing to the congestion in Masaka because despite there being a prison in Lwengo, there is no High Court. As a result, inmates, especially those on capital offences, have to be kept in Masaka pending committal.
The revelation was made during an ongoing stakeholder engagement which is part of the Commission’s effort to strengthen the protection and promotion of human rights at the regional level.
The engagement started with a staff meeting during which Ms. Nambi revealed a number of other issues of human rights concern in the region.
She said one of the palm oil companies – Oil Palm Uganda Limited – does not employ People Living with HIV/AIDS, noting that prospective employees have to be first tested and those discovered positive are not offered employment.
She further revealed that the region has no remand home so juveniles have to be transported either to Naguru in Kampala or Kampiringisa in Mpigi and yet police are not well facilitated.
“Sometimes, the police are forced to up the age of juveniles to detain them in adult cells,” she said.
Meanwhile, some inmates alleged torture, claiming their nails were plucked out during interrogation at police.
The inspection was attended by the Masaka Resident City Commissioner Ahmed Washaki, the Chief State Attorney Mariam Njuki and the Regional CID. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
