Prime Minister Nabbanja Warns Prison Officers Against Forcing Inmates to Kneel

Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja has issued a stern warning to prison officers across the country, stating that those who force inmates to kneel or sit on the floor while receiving visitors will face disciplinary measures. Speaking on the matter, Nabbanja clarified that such degrading practices do not form part of the standard operating procedures of the Uganda Prisons Service.

The Prime Minister’s remarks came in response to concerns raised in Parliament by Bbale County MP Charles Tebandeke, who highlighted the alleged humiliation of inmates during family and legal visits. Lawmakers supported Nabbanja’s stance, urging authorities to strictly enforce humane treatment standards in all correctional facilities.

Public discourse surrounding prisoner treatment intensified recently after social media activist and academic Dr. Jimmy Spire Ssentongo shared observations from a visit to Luzira Prison. While commending several aspects of the remand facility, Ssentongo noted that inmates were required to kneel when interacting with wardens. The revelation sparked widespread debate online, with citizens and human rights advocates condemning the practice as an unnecessary infringement on basic dignity.

Nabbanja reiterated that official prison regulations outline proper seating arrangements for visits and explicitly protect the fundamental rights of detainees. She stressed that serving a custodial sentence does not strip an individual of their right to be treated with respect and human dignity.

For more details on this story, read the original report on Nile Post.