The Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC) has uncovered more than 40 refugee inmates facing defilement charges during a prison inspection in Mbarara. The Commission’s team inspected Mbarara Main Government Prison and Mbarara Women’s Government Prison as part of its ongoing regional stakeholder engagements.
During the inspection, the UHRC team interacted with inmates and listened to concerns surrounding their detention and court cases. Some of the refugee inmates claimed that they had been falsely accused by parents of girls who allegedly wanted to secure asylum opportunities for their children abroad.
The inmates asked the Commission to investigate the circumstances surrounding their cases and consider their complaints. The UHRC team assured them that their concerns would be followed up in collaboration with relevant institutions under the Justice, Law and Order Sector (JLOS).
Commissioner Hon. Lamex Omara Apitta, who led the inspection on behalf of UHRC Chairperson Hon. Mariam Wangadya, also asked whether the prisons had human rights committees representing both inmates and prison management. He reminded the inmates that imprisonment does not take away their fundamental human rights and that every accused person remains subject to the law and the determination of the courts.
Apitta said the Commission’s responsibility includes checking whether inmates have access to food, rest, proper clothing and other basic rights. He also explained that the UHRC team would inspect the prison kitchen to establish the conditions under which food is prepared and served to inmates.
The Mbarara inspection came after the Commission visited Ndorwa Central Government Prison, where it found prison authorities supporting inmates to knit sweaters as protection against cold weather. About 1,700 sweaters had reportedly been completed and were awaiting commissioning, although their use as part of the official prison uniform is pending changes to the relevant regulations.
The initiative at Ndorwa is also intended to equip inmates with practical skills while they serve their sentences. During the Mbarara visit, Commissioners Hon. Col. Steven Basaliza and Hon. Simeo Muwanga Nsubuga joined inmates for a meal of posho and beans and later participated in an ekitagururo dance as they interacted with the prisoners.
The inspection was led by Commissioner Apitta and supported by Commissioners Hon. Shifrah Lukwago, Hon. Crispin Kaheru, Hon. Simeo Muwanga Nsubuga, Hon. Steven Basaliza and Hon. Jacklet Atuhaire Rwabukurukuru. Director of Regional Services Ms. Sarah Nakhumitsa said the regional engagements enable UHRC to directly identify human rights concerns and work with JLOS institutions and other stakeholders to find appropriate solutions.
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