‘Luzira of Buikwe’ should be rehabilitative not punitive

COMMENT | Samson Tinka |  If reports about a planned relocation of Luzira government prison to Buikwe are true, it will be an interesting development as it offers a new start to the way the country handles criminals. I would support the decision for various reasons from land optimization, improved safety and security for prisoners, to a new industrialization agenda.

The standout benefit I would take is if this Buikwe Prison is more of rehabilitative than punitive prison.

Drawing examples from before Christ, no punishment has ever been effective in combating and deterring crime. In fact, in Uganda, its common to re-arrest previous convicts especially those that committed capital, economic crimes.

These same offenders come back to communities and commit either the same or more serious crimes. Ideally, one would think that by convicting and sentencing someone who killed a person and serves 15 years or so, would come back a reformed person. This has not been the case always.

In 2018, police arrested a person for  ATM fraud. While under interrogation at Ntinda Police station, it was found out that he had been released a day before from Luzira prison where he had spent 13 months on similar charges.

What shocked everyone, was what he said. “Forgive me, I just bought this ATM card yesterday from Katwe and this person was my first target.I left Luzira yesterday and I was looking for money to start life with.”

At CPS-Kampala, out of 10 thieves arrested, 2 or 3 are repetitive offenders. This confirms that a mere arrest, investigations, prosecute, convict and sentencing is not good enough as we are re-cycling the problems.

Luzira and other governments prisons numbers are swelling all time. Police stations have an equal number or more than prisons.

A visit to a police suspects parade will surprise you with the number of potential Luzira candidates in police cells. Should police exercise the 48-hour rule of suspects either sent to court or released and they opt for sending to court option, Luzira and other sister prisons cannot accommodate. It’s common for suspects to spend 10-21 days at police.

Can we have a Halden prison of Norway in Uganda?

What comes to mind after this background, is Halden prison of Norway. It is regarded the most luxurious and human prison in the world and took over 10 years to be built at a costing staggering $252m.

Halden prison places strong emphasis on rehabilitation rather punishment. The philosophy is creating the environment that helps inmates’ reintegrate in the society successfully.

The facility resembles a village with modern buildings surrounded by trees and greenly. Inmates at Halden prison have private cells, bathroom, flat screens and a large window. The idea is to provide a sense of dignity and respect for the inmate’s privacy.

Halden offers a variety of educational programs to help inmates develop new skills. Luzira has endeavored to achieve the skilling of inmates  with its meagre resources. Its carpentry, agricultural farms, schools etc have done a great work but the question is how many have benefited from this arrangement.

No inmate especially those sentenced for 1 year and above should come of out Luzira without a skill. The 100shs or 500shs paid for hard labor is an abuse. In this world and the economy we live in, how can you remunerate (compensate) an inmate with sh500UGX?

Prisons chief Byabashaija should rise to the challenge

If this plan succeeds, the developer should have a blue print of Halden prison. It should be rehabilitative prison rather than punitive. We have tried punishment as a mode of handling prisoners for years with almost zero benefits.

I think the setup of Uganda prisons is and was of colonial mentality. Let us revise, remodel and retool the prisoner life with emphasis of rehabilitation not punitive prison life.

Looking keenly at crimes committed by Ugandans, a bigger percentage are facilitated by economic hardships. Be it murders, land grabbing, fraud, thefts or terrorism, most of these are often pushed by need to live a fair life in a country with many hardships. Competing for the few resources available has in one way or another amplified crime. And by the way, very many offenders are on actually on streets or in a weather controlled environment of Kololo

Prisons boss Dr. Johnson Byabashaija has often put his sector in the good light and should get the message. Please do negotiate effectively and let citizens this time benefit from the land.  We expect both a better quality and bigger facility.

There is a new trend in Uganda where government projects are good on paper but bogus in implementation. The Lubowa hospital, Parliamentary chambers that have taken ages to be completed among others.

Even the quality of products used like steal, bricks, cement to sand ratio must be looked at carefully not the final coat of paint put on a building that will last under 5 years and then we start rehabilitation and repairs that end up being costly compared to initial development budget.

This facility should have a state of art hostels, schools from primary to university, colleges, recording studios, arts and crafts, model farms, teaching hospital or at least a referral one.

These facilities will breed re-birth Ugandans with both skills, discipline and hope for a better future. The current Uganda’s prisons orientation and set up is another criminal breeding centers.

We have many mothers that have been convicted when pregnant or with young babies, the children are raised in prisons hence becoming prisoners by default. The good prison can support these children until their parents are released.

My only fear is how this whole project will be handled. I cannot point to any fully government-sponsored project that has been developed and concluded without questions lingering on fraud, quality issues and extended completion dates.

Let ‘New Luzira of Buikwe’ be a project to look at as the best example. From performance so far, I am convinced that Dr. Byabashaija  and his team can superintend over this project. Byabashaija   should grab this opportunity and shine so that when you retire in Nyarushanje, you will be remembered for the best project ever committed in Uganda.

Lastly, both you and I are potential Luzira candidates. It should be in everyone interest to see a better, rehabilitative Luzira prison. Who knows you may be the next guest to check-in.