FROM CUSTODY TO CORRECTION: DR. BYABASHAIJA’S VISION TRANSFORMS UGANDA PRISONS SERVICE
KAMPALA – Under the steady leadership of Commissioner General Dr. Johnson Byabashaija, the Uganda Prisons Service (UPS) is undergoing a profound metamorphosis, shifting its public identity from a mere centre of confinement to a dynamic institution of correction, rehabilitation, and national contribution.
Established under the 1995 Constitution, the Service’s mandate of safe and secure custody is now firmly coupled with a progressive mission: to correct behaviour, prepare individuals for life after custody, and protect society. Guided by the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners, Dr. Byabashaija is steering UPS toward his clear aim of becoming a leading correctional service in Africa.
“The goal is to ensure our prisons are guarded spaces with purpose, order, and direction,” the Commissioner General’s philosophy echoes through the system. This vision is manifesting in tangible reforms across several critical areas.
Justice and Dignity in Custody
A cornerstone of the transformation is upholding the law and dignity of every inmate. The Service ensures timely production of inmates in court, actively follows up cases, and has embraced technology like video court sessions to reduce trial delays. Furthermore, initiatives like plea bargaining and parole are being vigorously supported to expedite justice and ensure fairness.
Rehabilitation Through Skills and Education
Moving beyond punishment, UPS is investing in the future of inmates. Vocational training programmes in trades such as shoe-making, tailoring, carpentry, metalwork, weaving, and modern agriculture equip prisoners with skills for honest self-employment upon release.
Education is also thriving behind bars. Inmate schools operate across many prison units, with prisoners sitting for and passing national examinations at Primary (PLE), Ordinary (UCE), and Advanced (UACE) levels, proving that “learning does not end at the prison gate.”
Internal Strengthening and Welfare
Dr. Byabashaija has placed equal emphasis on building a professional and motivated workforce. A structured training pathway, including junior to senior command courses and specialised field training, is enhancing professionalism, integrity, and patriotism. Officers are notably smarter in uniform and more disciplined in conduct.
Staff welfare is improving through housing projects, better medical services, and family support. Inmate welfare has also been elevated, with a policy ensuring each prisoner receives two pairs of uniform to promote cleanliness and dignity.
Operational Excellence and National Impact
Operational capacity has seen a massive boost, with the prison fleet now exceeding 2,000 vehicles, improving court transfers, logistics, and emergency response. Digitisation of records and staff identity systems has enhanced organisation and accountability.
The Service has also become a significant contributor to national food security through large-scale agricultural production, feeding inmates and supplementing national reserves. Through sports teams and community partnerships, UPS demonstrates that its values of discipline and service extend beyond prison walls.
Throughout this comprehensive overhaul, Dr. Byabashaija is described as leading with calm strength, fairness, and an unwavering sense of duty. He operates on the belief that people can change when given guidance, structure, and opportunity.
The Uganda Prisons Service now stands as a testament to a modern correctional philosophy: that even behind bars, order can coexist with dignity, and punishment can walk hand in hand with genuine correction. Dr. Byabashaija’s work, therefore, transcends prison management; it is fundamentally about building a safer society by helping individuals become better.
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