Kampala — They are 300 in number, 20 of whom are child offenders and 30 on deathrow and life imprisonment. They are the women doing time in the Luzira Women's Prison.

On Saturday October 31, the officer-in-charge on duty, Korina Lamunu, opened the prison's gates to a team of seven officials from Barclays Bank, Tankhill Branch.

Far from the gloomy faces I expected to find, the inmates were actually glad to see us. I learned from Lamunu that it is always a pleasure for them to see anyone from the outside world.

"For a brief moment, they forget about the sentences they are serving," said Lamunu.

Gathered in the prison's chapel, the inmates listened with delight as the leader of the Barclays delegation, Monica Lakono, told them: "We love you, that's why we have brought you some basic effects for your daily use: blankets, sanitary towels, soap, toothpaste, sugar, rice and some clothes."

The inmates reciprocated the love with hearty handclaps, ululations and a prayer led by Susan Kigula, an inmate on deathrow, who is also their pastor.

Many asked questions about banking procedure and whether they could open up accounts for money they left at home before being imprisoned.

One wanted more - the bank to help her run the account by paying her children's fees and catering to their other needs with the money.

The Barclays officials promised to work out a way with the prison's administration to have their requests met. The visit was part of the bank's corporate social responsibility.

Pastor Billy Ruhinda of Halleluiah Church, Lugazi, was part of the delegation. As he preached, he told them he could see sisters, mothers and wives among them. By the time he finished, there was hope in a number of them.