By Flavia Ajok
Johnson Byabashaija, Commissioner General of Uganda Prisons has backed the proposal for the relocation of Luzira Prison, saying it is better to use such prime land for job creating projects, other than have it occupied by prisoners.
Byabashaija made the remarks while appearing before Parliament’s Human Rights Committee that was scrutunising the State of Human Rights In Uganda prisons report, where Polycarp Ogwari (Agule County) asked the Prisons officials to clarify on their stand regarding the latest plans by Government to relocate Luzira prison to Buikwe district to pave way for the construction of a five star hotel by Chinese investors.
“This is something we should have done 20years ago, because when Luzira was put, it was outside Kampala 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 maxi prison. 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,” said Byabashaija.
In a July, 2022 letter to the Minister of Internal Affairs, President Museveni gave a green light to the idea of giving land currently housing Luzira Prison to a Chinese investor of Tian Tang Group to construct a five star hotel and relocate the maximum security prison to another area.
He therefore directed Otafiire to kickstart negotiations with the Tian Tang to execute the plan.
In a follow up letter dated February, 22, 2024, Minister Otafiire sought a consultative meeting on March 6 on the matter.
“The Uganda Prisons Service have identified 3.5 square miles in Buikwe District, out of which they have agreed to purchase 1 square mile for the said relocation,” Otafiire said in the letter.
“The family of the Late Antonio Lutwama Kabogoza who owned the land have unfortunately never applied for letters of administration since the late passed on in 1928 although they have agreed as a family and beneficiaries to sell the said square mile to the Uganda Prison. In light of the current legal impasse on processing letters of administration for the old Buganda estates, the family lawyers have formed an opinion that they (Beneficiaries) can still sale their interest in the said land to the Uganda Prisons Service for the Prisons relocation,” Otafiire said.
