Relocate Luzira Prison, Government Has No Money To Renovate It: Otafiire Convinces Parliament to Hand Over Prime Land to Hotel Investor

The Ugandan government is considering relocating the Luzira Prisons facility due to its dilapidated state, overcrowding, and unsuitability for modern prisoner needs. The facility, built by the British in the 1920s, was designed to hold 1,923 prisoners but currently accommodates 8,790, exceeding its capacity by 6,867 prisoners.

Internal Affairs Minister Gen Kahinda Otafiire has stated that the current infrastructure and location are no longer tenable. In a statement tabled before Parliament, Otafiire emphasized the need for a new facility that can accommodate the growing number of prisoners and provide humane conditions.

The Luzira Prisons complex, which sits on 260 acres of prime land overlooking Lake Victoria, was originally designed to accommodate a maximum of 1,923 inmates. However, the current population of 8,790 prisoners, including 5,167 on remand, 3,457 convicts, and 107 condemned prisoners, has put a strain on the facility.Furthermore, the infrastructure was never meant to accommodate sophisticated profiles of contemporary prisoners, such as suspected terrorists, suicide bombers, murderers, and robbers.

The way the prison was originally designed in the 1920s did not envision the type, level of risk, and sophistication of modern prisoners.The neighborhood surrounding the prison has also undergone significant changes, with ultra-modern high-rise buildings and infrastructure developments, making it unsuitable for a prison facility. The once-remote location is now accessible from multiple directions, posing security concerns.

The government has limited options, and relocation to a larger and more secure facility is necessary. Otafiire has proposed surrendering the 260 acres of land at Luzira to a Chinese investor to build a 5-star hotel in exchange for USD 249 million to acquire land in Buikwe district for a new prison facility.This plan aims to address congestion, provide more humane conditions, and offer rehabilitation-friendly facilities. The new facility will be designed to accommodate modern prisoner needs, including sophisticated security features and rehabilitation programs.

The relocation plan has sparked controversy, with some expressing concerns about the suitability of the new location and the involvement of a Chinese investor. However, Otafiire has assured that the new facility will be designed and constructed with international standards and best practices in mind.In addition, the new facility will provide opportunities for prisoner rehabilitation and reintegration into society.

The government plans to implement programs focused on education, skills training, and counseling to help prisoners become productive members of society upon release.The relocation of Luzira Prisons is a necessary step towards providing humane conditions and modern facilities for prisoners and staff. The government’s proposal to surrender the land to a Chinese investor in exchange for funding for a new facility is a pragmatic solution to address the challenges facing the current facility.

The new facility will be designed to meet modern prisoner needs and provide a secure and rehabilitative environment. The government’s commitment to improving the prison system is a positive step towards ensuring that prisoners are treated with dignity and respect, and that they have access to the resources they need to become productive members of society upon release.

That’s how and why Gen Otafiire is strongly recommending the other option of surrendering the current 260 acres of the remaining Luzira Prisons land to the Chinese investor who can build there a 5-star hotel (though sources say he too is financially struggling) and in return avail the GoU with Shs934bn (or USD249m) with which land can be acquired in Buikwe district to have the Uganda Prisons facility, currently at Luzira, relocated there.

In this case, all the GoU will have to do is to surrender or forfeit the 260 acres at Luzira and leave the rest of the relocation and new construction works to the investor who will only hand over a complete new huge prison facility to UPS.In conclusion, the relocation of Luzira Prisons is a necessary step towards providing humane conditions and modern facilities for prisoners and staff.

The government’s proposal to surrender the land to a Chinese investor in exchange for funding for a new facility is a pragmatic solution to address the challenges facing the current facility. The new facility will be designed to meet modern prisoner needs and provide a secure and rehabilitative environment, and will provide opportunities for prisoner rehabilitation and reintegration into society.

The government’s commitment to improving the prison system is a positive step towards ensuring that prisoners are treated with dignity and respect, and that they have access to the resources they need to become productive members of society upon release.