Jailed Political activist, Col. (Rtd) Dr. Kizza Besigye, informed the Committee of Parliament that he feels safer in Luzira Prison compared to other detention facilities -a report tabled in Parliament claims.
The claim is in the findings in a report presented on Tuesday in Parliament, following a field tour by legislators to Luzira Maximum Security Prison, to visit Col. (Rtd.) Dr. Kizza Besigye and Hajji Obeid Lutale Kamulegeya, and establish their detention conditions but also assess the Human Rights conditions of Luzira Prison.
The findings in the main report presents claim of a fair environment in Luzira Maximum Security Prison, but Besigye also presenting a level of confidence that he may be safer where he is now.
Dr Besigye shared concerns about the solitary confinement he now lives in and unexplained late-night activities in the prison, such as padlocks being opened and closed without anyone entering his cell. He also fears being poisoned or harmed in such an environment. Besigye’s fear for his life were further mentioned in the minority report which highlighted an incident one night when he scared off unknown people, who had opened two of the four padlocks on doors to his cell.
He says the attackers retreated when he shouted loudly.
The report comes after reports circulated that Dr. Besigye was at the verge of starvation after he refused to eat food served by prison authorities, and that access to food provided by relatives had been blocked. The report states how Dr. Besigye informed the Committee that he refused to eat the food provided by the Prison for fear of being poisoned.
Besigye is concerned that he is detained in a highly restricted section, which he described as “a prison within a prison” requiring passage through five gates to reach his
cell. He expressed fear for his safety, particularly as he is held alone in a
cell with a toilet and shower, within the North Wing which accommodates
a total of 18 Prisoners. He lamented that he is not allowed to interact with fellow inmates, and the rules applied to him are more restrictive than those applied to other prisoners nor is he allowed to attend prayers with other inmates within the prison.
“Dr. Besigye noted that he has access to adequate food, with three authorized
suppliers providing his needs. Similarly, his co-accused, Hajji Obeid Lutale, has three authorised suppliers providing his provisions. They cook their own meals for security reasons” said Hon Fox Odoi, the Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Human Rights as he presented the main report during plenary.
Fox Odoi’s report claims that Besigye commended Luzira Prison authorities for their professionalism and for ensuring that inmates’ rights are upheld and protected -allowing Prison Doctors visit him on a daily basis and allowing him to see his personal doctor whenever the need arises.
The report proceeds that the opposition politician acknowledged significant improvements in the prison’s conditions over the years with computerized systems, running water, waterborne toilets, the abolition of the bucket system in Luzira Maximum Security Prison and a fresh coat of paint had been applied to the walls, which are all commendable developments.
The Committee however noted that the rate of occupancy of Luzira Maximum Security Prison exceeds 500% since the facility was designed to hold 600 prisoners but currently holds 3,292 inmates.
Legislators also observed that the food provided by Uganda Prisons Service to the Prisoners lacks variety and does not meet the minimum standards of a balanced diet as provided for in the law on account of the limited budget provision.
The committee members recommended that government should provide adequate funding to the Uganda prisons
Service to exploit the Prison Farms for purposes of producing food, crops
for the provision of nutrition for prisoners. The MPs proposed that the government should prioritize setting
up new prison facilities or expanding the existing ones to address the
issue of congestion but also take practical steps through the judiciary to urgently address the issue of case backlog,