Inmates accessing visitors
Uganda Government Prisons has resumed normal operations across all its facilities allowing access to only Covid 19 vaccinated visitors among other things.
Uganda Prisons Spokesperson Frank Baine says restrictions imposed in the service due to Covid 19 have been lifted.
In March 2020, Prison authorities in addition to other changes instituted a ban on visitors at all their facilities in line with the Presidential directives to prevent the spread of Covid 19, as a result, the Commissioner General of Prisons, Dr.Johnson Byahbashaija has directed that no visitor be allowed in prisons .
Baine now says the Prisons will no longer hold accused persons at Isolation centers, will allow for physical Court appearances and also allow for only vaccinated visitors and adherence to Standard Operating Procedures(SOP’s).
“Admission of new prisoners is reverted to old reception centers but we are going back to the traditional way. Now we have allowed visitors in the normal set up and they must present evidence of full vaccination against Covid 19 by presenting vaccination cards. Wearing of Face masks, sanitizing of hand during court, visitation and in the community.”He explained
Recently, jailed members of Parliament Allan Ssewanyana and Muhammad Ssegirinya protested a ban on visitors in prison. The detained legislators pleaded with the Masaka Court Grade One Magistrate to issue an order authorizing them to have access to visitors while in prison.
The MPs who have been in jail at Kigo Government Prison for over six months claimed that Prison Authorities were overlooking their inherent human rights by denying them access to meeting and interacting with family members, doctors, making calls to people outside or even freely accessing their lawyers.
Inmates accessing visitors
In her ruling, the Magistrate instructed the Prisons authorities to relax the restrictions and allow the suspects to access visitors, under the observance of the known COVID-19 SOP’s.
Among other changes include;
All prisoners will be vaccinated upon entry at Prison facilities
Mandatory Covid 19 checks and screening on entry as one of the examination requirements for all inmates.
Current Covid 19 treatment centers in Gulu, Jinja, Kampala remand, Luzira, remain open as 59 isolation centers have been shut down
All OC’s have been instructed to establish hand washing facilities for prisoners and staff.
All OC’s will be required to institute facilities for home based care for mild cases of Covid 19.
Compiled by Minah Nalule
