By Julius Mugaga Tukacungurwa, Umoja Standard.
Luzira, Uganda: Members of the Uganda Human Rights Commission today conducted an inspection of Murchison Bay Prison at the Luzira Prison Complex as part of the Commission’s constitutional mandate to monitor places of detention across the country.
The delegation was led by Commissioners Hon. Shifra Lukwag, Hon. Crispin Kaheru, and Hon. Apitta. They were accompanied by Director of Regional Services Ms. Sarah Nakhumitsa, Kampala Regional Office Head Ms. Juliet Logose, Senior Human Rights Officers Ms. Hope Bagota and Ms. Diana Akampereza from the Directorate of Monitoring and Inspections.
The team was received by Officer-in-Charge Superintendent of Prisons Herbert Kaheeru, who presented a comprehensive report on the status of inmates and the overall human rights situation at the facility.
Mr. Kaheeru highlighted key challenges, including severe congestion due to limited accommodation and the small size of Murchison Bay Referral Hospital, which serves ill inmates referred from prisons across Uganda.
The Commissioners were allowed to interact directly with inmates and toured the referral hospital, housing wards, sanitation facilities, and places of worship to assess living conditions.
During the engagement, inmates raised concerns about overcrowding, delays in the justice system, and the need to improve accommodation facilities. However, they commended the OC for sustaining sensitization programs and for efficiently utilizing available resources.
The delegation also visited the prison’s carpentry section as part of the tour.
In closing, the Commission thanked prison management for adopting a human rights-based approach in the management of inmates and pledged continued support and partnership to address the gaps identified.
The inspection forms part of the Commission’s wider monitoring to ensure detention facilities comply with national and international human rights standards.
