Jinja Main Prison and Nakasongola Main Prison, designed for 393 and 274 inmates, respectively, are overcrowded with 2,134 and 1,455 inmates.
Uganda's Prisons system is on the brink of collapse, grappling with overcrowding levels that expose deep-rooted governance and justice sector challenges.
Despite constitutional guarantees of dignity, presumption of innocence, and the right to bail, inmates are crammed into facilities operating at alarming occupancy rates, with some prisons exceeding capacity by over 700%.
Prisons spokesperson Frank Baine revealed the dire state of the prison system.
"Where there is supposed to be one person, we are keeping three,"he said.
This paints a gloomy picture of a system overwhelmed by systemic inefficiencies and limited resources.
Prominent civil rights activist Godwin Toko described the situation as "a tragic waste of lives," calling for urgent reforms to address overcrowding and delayed justice.
But while overcrowding is evident, underlying factors such as judicial inefficiencies, underfunding, and skewed priorities compound the crisis.
A recent report by the Auditor General highlights extreme overcrowding, with Isingiro Main Prison topping the list.
Originally built to house 47 inmates, it now holds 377, an occupancy rate of 802%, the highest in the country.
Yumbe Prison, with a capacity for 25 inmates, accommodates 192, translating to a 768% occupancy rate.
Kibale Prison, meant for 30, now houses 184, and Hoima Prison, designed for 80, currently holds 494 inmates.
Fort Portal Main Prison, built for 309, accommodates 1,770 inmates, while Masindi Main Prison holds 1,480 in a space designed for 262.
Similarly, Rangem Main Prison in Pakwach, with a capacity of 144, now houses 789 inmates.
Jinja Main Prison and Nakasongola Main Prison, designed for 393 and 274 inmates, respectively, are overcrowded with 2,134 and 1,455 inmates.
The alarming statistics paint a picture of a prison system struggling to keep up with the surging number of inmates.
Baine attributed the crisis to a mismatch between the annual 8% growth in the inmate population and the meagre 2% growth in prison infrastructure.
Budgetary shortfalls exacerbate the problem, with the Uganda Prisons Service receiving only 45% of its required funding.
"The prison system remains overwhelmed," Baine admitted.
But Toko insists that judicial inefficiencies bear much of the blame.
He criticised the judiciary for sentencing individuals to prison for minor offenses such as idleness and disorderliness.
"There are legal provisions even in developed countries where such work is done while individuals remain home," he said.
He urged the judiciary to fully adopt community service as an alternative to incarceration for minor offenses.
Delays in case processing further contribute to overcrowding.
"I have met people in prisons who have been there for seven to ten years without their cases being decided," Toko revealed, describing it as a failure of justice.
Toko criticised the government for its lack of investment in prisons, health, and education.
He highlighted that prison health facilities operate at only 15-20% capacity, increasing the risk of disease outbreaks and inadequate care.
"This is not the fault of prison officials but of parliament and the government's priorities," Toko argued.
President Museveni's controversial stance on bail has also drawn criticism.
Museveni has repeatedly called for denying bail to suspects of corruption and capital offenses, arguing that expediting trials would serve justice better.
"Even if I was the accused, I would say, try me quickly and I prove my innocence," the President said.
But Toko warned that such measures risk worsening the overcrowding crisis without addressing the root causes.
"Either the President doesn't understand the problem, or he doesn't care," he said, emphasizing the disconnect between policy and reality.
Both Baine and Toko agree that expanding prison facilities is essential. But funding alone is insufficient without systemic reforms.
Experts argue that the judiciary must prioritize community-based sentencing for minor offenses and adopt more efficient case processing mechanisms.
Toko insists that the government must realign its budgetary priorities to meet the needs of a growing population. This includes investing in health, education, and justice systems to reduce the pressure on prisons.
The government's plan to relocate Luzira Prison for an investor raises ethical concerns.
"We cannot mortgage our country's history and sovereignty to please investors," Toko warned, advocating for a strategy that preserves historical integrity while addressing modernization needs.
Without adequate medical care, overcrowded prisons risk becoming breeding grounds for disease outbreaks, further endangering inmate lives.