Uganda Prisons recruits 1,400, promotes 35

A total of 1,479 people have been recruited into the Uganda Prisons Service (UPS) to bridge the gap in the warder-inmate ratios.
The recruitment brings to 10,979, the number of prison officers guarding 254 units with a population of more than 59,000 inmates countrywide.
In an October 3 notice, the Commissioner General of Prisons, Dr Johnson Byabashaija, said the candidates were selected to join the service as recruit warders and wardresses after passing interviews in July this year.

“They should report to the Commandant Prisons Academy and Training School (PATS) Luzira with effect from October 14, without fail. Any candidate who will not have reported by October 19 will forfeit his or her place,” reads the notice.
The recruited persons will now undergo a nine-month training.
Mr Frank Baine, the prisons spokesperson, yesterday confirmed the development.
He said: “We shall have improved but we are still badly off.”
The recruitment leaves a deficit of 3,4021 persons required to enable the prisons service achieve the standard ratio of one officer to three inmates from the current ratio of one officer to eight prisoners.

Promotions
Meanwhile, 35 junior offices have been promoted to different ranks.
In the October 4 notice, Dr Byabashaija said the 25th Prisons Council on October 3, approved promotions of junior officers to various ranks.
“The officers-in-charge of stations, district prisons commanders and prisons commanders should ensure the promoted officers access the appropriate pips, badges and chevrons,” reads the notice.
He said every station, district and region will then arrange for pipping ceremony.

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