news 16 August 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Kabale Prison Chief Appeals for Hope and Support for Inmates
The Officer in Charge of Ndorwa Government Prison has urged Christians to provide inmates with spiritual guidance and hope, emphasizing that rehabilitation goes beyond basic needs. He also raised concerns about the high proportion of young people incarcerated. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/inmates-need-hope-not-just-food-kabale-prison-boss-tells-christians-5560174
Senior Superintendent of Prisons (SSP) Julius Kisembo, head of Ndorwa Government Prison in Kabale District, has called upon the Christian community to extend more than just material aid to inmates. Speaking at a Thanksgiving Mass for prison officers at Christ the King Catholic Church Parish, Kisembo highlighted that prisoners require spiritual support and hope for rehabilitation and successful reintegration into society.
Kisembo stressed that the Uganda Prisons Service aims to equip inmates with skills, discipline, and good morals, preparing them for life after release. He urged Christians to remember prisoners, citing biblical passages such as Hebrews 13:3 and Matthew 25:40, which call for compassion and remembering those in custody. He specifically requested more frequent visits and words of encouragement over solely material donations.
A significant concern raised by Kisembo was the demographic of the prison population, with approximately 80 percent of inmates at Ndorwa Government Prison being between the ages of 18 and 35. He attributed this trend partly to drug abuse and alcoholism among young people, urging parents to play a more active role in guiding their children. He also encouraged community leaders to utilize reconciliation mechanisms to resolve minor disputes before they escalate to criminal cases and lead to incarceration.
The prison chief emphasized that rehabilitation must be followed by effective reintegration to ensure former inmates become contributing members of society. The Thanksgiving Mass also served as a fundraiser for the parish, with prison officers contributing towards the purchase of plastic chairs.
During the service, Rev. Fr. Fabias Ariganyira encouraged Christians to persevere in their faith despite challenges, using the biblical story of the persistent Canaanite woman and the life of Francis Mary Paul Libermann as examples of unwavering commitment. He urged believers to maintain hope and commitment in their respective roles, trusting that their prayers would eventually be answered.