The Commissioner General of Uganda Prisons, Johnson Byabashaija, has backed plans by government to relocate Luzira Prison to pave way for the construction of a five-star hotel.
Last month, reports emerged that President Museveni had okayed the idea of giving Luzira land to a Chinese investment firm, Tian Tang Group, for redevelopment.
According to a leaked letter to Internal Affairs Minister, Kahinda Otafiire, Tian Tang Group was to construct a five star hotel and relocate the maximum security prison to another area.
Appearing before Parliament’s Human Rights Committee on Tuesday, Byabashaija backed the plans, noting that they have long been overdue.
The committee was scrutunising the State of Human Rights In Uganda prisons report, where Agule County MP Polycarp Ogwari asked the Prisons officials to clarify on their stand regarding the latest plans by Government to relocate Luzira prison.
“This is something we should have done 20years ago, because when Luzira was put, it was outside Kampala,” Byabashaija said.
“They started building in 1921 they completed it in 1927, now, it is in the middle of the city, we have industries around it, it is no longer a maximum prison.”
The prisons boss further said that rather than having Luzira occupied by prisoners, it is better to use such prime land for job creating projects.
“But this is too prime land, it is a place that should create jobs for our children, it shouldn’t be a place to keep people who have had conflict with the law. Our children must have where to work,” the chief jailer added.
Byabashaija’s stance comes amid growing concerns by MPs on the relocation process and the impact on Uganda’s prison system.
