Febrice Mc

Today I visited Doreen Kaija and Olivia Lutaaya at Luzira Women’s prison. It was my first time there. Time wasn’t enough to visit the men’s side! First, the compliments; I) - The prison (the part I saw) is very clean, the prisoners too. II) - The warders were friendly and professional. III) - Doreen said the treatment of prisoners by warders has improved with the current OC (whose name I forgot to ask). She spoke highly of her. IV) - Flowers to Pastor Grace Lubega of Phaneroo. They said his church regularly donates stuff (mattresses, food, etc) to the prison, and that prisoners often look forward to Phaneroo’s visits, which leave all of them happy (more of us should do this practical religiosity). V) - The prison healthcare was commended too. Not the best, but there is effort to care. What I found awkward; I) - I saw prisoners kneeling down to talk to warders. Is it really necessary! II) - Those on remand and convicts stay together under the same conditions. Is remand also punishment? Is one assumed to be guilty until proven innocent? III) - There are factories (of I don’t know what) behind the prison that terribly pollute the air, exposing both prisoners and Prisons officers to health risks. NEMA, how is this permitted - subjecting confined people to full time pollution! IV) - They say, like many others have said, that prison food is the worst ever - not even good enough for a pig. Those who are visited get a chance to prepare their own meals. But how about those who get very few visitors, if ever! I think even prisoners deserve better, though not as good as at home. Of course, all the above notwithstanding, the most painful thing is to be in prison well knowing that you are innocent.