One shot dead as Oyam inmates riot over Besigye

A file picture of Oyam Prison inmates

OYAM- A murder suspect on remand at Oyam Prison has been shot dead and two others severely injured after prison warders opened fire on inmates who attempted to escape.

Uganda Prisons Service confirmed the incident, saying it happened during a riot by inmates on Thursday morning. It is reported that over 183 inmates serving their sentences at the prison demanded to be set free after predicting that the candidate they supported, Dr Kizza Besigye of Forum for Democratic Change could win the election. They then started rioting at 6am. As the prison warders attempted to thwart the riot, one was shot dead while two sustained injuries.

The deceased has been identified as Peter Odongo, a murder suspect who was on remand. The injured are Moses Okello and Patrick Opio.

Uganda Prisons Service spokesperson, Mr Frank Baine, confirmed the incident.

“They thought most of the prison warders would go to participate in the election hence leaving the security lapse, unfortunately that was not the case. So they started rioting and one who attempted to escape met the bullet and died instantly,” he said on Thursday afternoon.

This is not the first time inmates are rioting in Lango. In 2013, Lira Main Prison was the scene of running battles between prisoners and the police as the former protested long detentions on remand.

The usually quiet facility turned chaotic when prisoners chased away warders and broke into stores, some attempting to escape.

Overpowered, the warders sought police help and later back-up from the army, with the two other security agencies arriving just in time to push back some inmates who were already on their way out.

After lobbing tear gas canisters into the facility and firing in the air for close to two hours, the riot police and warders then stormed into the prison, beating up some of the inmates.