Uganda Prisons Service: 93 on Death Row, No Executions Since 1999

The Uganda Prisons Service has officially confirmed that 93 inmates are currently awaiting execution on death row. This figure includes two women.

According to Senior Commissioner of Prisons Frank Baine, the service maintains a robust and centralized record-keeping system that ensures the accuracy of inmate data nationwide. Baine emphasized that this system is continuously updated, providing a reliable count of all individuals within the prison system.

Baine also addressed the quality of medical care provided in Ugandan prisons, suggesting that the services offered are often on par with, or even exceed, those found in private healthcare institutions. He further commented on the welfare and discipline of inmates, highlighting the structured routines and the relationship between staff and prisoners as factors contributing to what he described as the world’s most disciplined inmate population.

Regarding capital punishment, Baine reiterated that Uganda has not carried out any executions since 1999. He explained that while murder remains a capital offense, death sentences undergo extensive appeal processes, requiring confirmation from the Supreme Court before an execution can be considered. This extended moratorium on executions, he noted, allows for more thorough reviews of cases, thereby mitigating the risk of judicial errors.

Baine also touched upon the provision of counselling and psychosocial support for inmates. However, he pointed out a critical gap: prison officers themselves often lack adequate, structured support despite the high-pressure nature of their work.

Source: Nile Post