Thousands of eligible prisoners could soon leave the crowded prison cells and serve part of their sentences under supervision if new parole rules being drafted by government are approved.
Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja told Parliament on Thursday last week that the Uganda Prisons Service is finalising the new Parole Rules and Regulations, which are currently before the First Parliamentary Counsel.
“The Uganda Prisons Service is finalising the Parole Rules and Regulations, currently before the First Parliamentary Counsel to govern the safe release of eligible inmates,” Nabbanja said.
The proposed arrangement would allow qualifying prisoners to serve part of their sentences outside prison while being closely monitored.
They could be required to report regularly to parole officers, maintain good behaviour and take part in rehabilitation programmes. But parole would not mean complete freedom. A prisoner who violates the conditions could be sent straight back to prison.
The parole plan comes as Parliament raises alarm over overcrowding in Uganda’s prisons. Kampala District Woman MP Shamim Malende told the House that some suspects are spending years on remand because their cases are taking too long to be heard.
According to Malende, some suspects spend more time behind bars waiting for trial than they would have served if they had been convicted and sentenced promptly.
“We have people who should serve six months but end up spending three years on remand because their cases are not heard in time,” she said.
The concern puts the spotlight not only on the number of prisoners but also on the problem of delayed trials.
Nabbanja said government is also working with Justice, Law and Order Sector institutions to increase the use of non-custodial punishments.
These include community service and other sentences that allow offenders to serve their punishment outside prison where incarceration is not considered necessary.
The idea is to keep less serious offenders out of already congested prisons while allowing them to continue with rehabilitation and community-based punishment.
Government is also turning to technology to tackle delays. Nabbanja revealed that video conferencing systems have already been installed in 21 prisons.
The technology allows inmates to appear before judicial officers without having to be physically transported from prison to court.
Luzira Upper Prison, Arua, Mbarara, Lira, Soroti, Fort Portal and Kabale are among the facilities using the video-link system.
This could save time and resources while reducing the logistical challenges involved in moving large numbers of prisoners to court.
Even as government looks for ways to keep some offenders out of prison, it is also building more space for those who must remain behind bars.
Construction is ongoing at several facilities, including Sembabule, Lwengo, Kabula, Buwama, Paidha, Nakasongola, Ndorwa, Murchison Bay, Arua, Kitgum, Rakai and Mutukula.
Nabbanja further said government plans to construct 37 prison wards in Mityana, Mbarara and Kibaale districts in the 2026/2027 financial year.
