The Commissioner General of Prisons, Johnson Byabashaija, has assured Parliament that inmates requiring specialised medical care are allowed access to their personal doctors and can be referred to health facilities of their choice when prison health services are unable to manage their conditions.
Appearing before Parliament’s Committee on Defence and Internal Affairs on Thursday, chaired by Hon. Robina Rwakoojo, Byabashaija responded to concerns from legislators over the treatment of high-profile remand prisoners, including veteran opposition politician Dr Kizza Besigye and former Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago.
Kampala District Woman MP Shamim Malende questioned whether prisoners with pre-existing medical conditions continue receiving adequate treatment while in custody, saying many depend on personal physicians before incarceration.
Kalungu West MP Joseph Ssewungu also cited medical reports from Mulago National Referral Hospital concerning Lukwago’s health, questioning whether the information provided to the Judiciary accurately reflects the recommendations from medical specialists.
In response, Byabashaija said unconvicted inmates are permitted to consult their personal physicians and can be transported to private clinics or specialised hospitals where necessary.
“A person who is not yet convicted can have access to his personal physician. We can even take you to facilities of your choice. We have been taking one of these inmates for specialised tests at his doctor’s clinic,” he said.
He added that prison authorities rely on medical recommendations when handling inmates with serious illnesses.
“If we cannot handle your condition, the doctors determine where you should be referred. We can take you to Mulago or any other appropriate health facility,” he said.
Beyond healthcare, Byabashaija raised concern over worsening congestion in Uganda’s prisons, blaming prolonged delays in the criminal justice system. He revealed that some inmates have remained on remand for as long as 12 years awaiting trial despite having already been committed to the High Court.
“The person who has waited the longest in our custody has been there for 12 years waiting for his trial to be fixed. Is that justice?” he asked.
He noted that the Uganda Prisons Service regularly submits quarterly reports, known as Prison Form 30, to both the Judiciary and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, highlighting inmates who have overstayed on remand.
The Prisons chief also urged greater use of non-custodial sentences, arguing that prison should primarily be reserved for offenders who pose a genuine threat to public safety rather than people charged with minor offences such as small land disputes.
On mental health, Byabashaija said the Prisons Service has established a special ward for inmates with mental illnesses and works closely with Butabika National Referral Mental Hospital to provide psychiatric care. He added that plans are underway to construct a dedicated mental health facility for prisoners at Butabika.
He further disclosed that the proposed relocation of Luzira Maximum Security Prison remains at the planning stage because the government is yet to secure an investor capable of financing the project.
