The Commissioner General of Prisons (CGP), Dr. Johnson Byabashaija, has commended Uganda Prisons services for their immense contribution to Uganda food security strategy.
Dr. Byabashaija, who is currently on a tour of prison facilities in mid-eastern Uganda, made the remarks while addressing the staff of Odina Prison Farm in Soroti district on Wednesday, February 14, 2024.
He meticulously inspected the 200-acre sunflower plantation, a component of Food Security intervention program directed by President Museveni under the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries.
Expressing satisfaction with the bountiful harvest, Byabashaija aligned Uganda’s prison services contribution with Uganda’s food security strategy.
“The sunflower plantation, a transition from the previous 210 acres of maize is proof of Uganda Prisons services adaptability and commitment to national goals,” Byabashaija said.
During the walk-around tour, Byabashaija disclosed that Uganda Prisons Services is actively engaged in commercial maize production in various locations including Aswa Ranch, Aloi-Ongom, Pingere, Awei, and Adjumani Prisons farms operating under the same government of Uganda intervention headed by ministry of agriculture Animal industries and fisheries.
Byabashaija further articulated the need to establish small-scale irrigation schemes to mitigate drought and enhance overall agricultural infrastructure.
The Uganda prisons carry out production on 68 farms of different sizes and production enterprises with a total land size of 21,000 acres.
The tour extended beyond agriculture as Byabashaija hosted Officers in Charge of Prisons in the Mid-Eastern Region, guiding effective management, observing human rights, and the imperative of enhanced prison production and productivity.
