President Museveni passes out 2234 prisons officers at Kololo Airstrip

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has passed out 200 assistant superintendents (CASPS), 318 cadet principal officers (CPOs), and 1716 recruit warders and wardresses at Kololo ceremonial grounds on September 10, 2023.

President Museveni said prison institutions have four major tasks: reform the prisoners, skill them, punish them according to sentencing, and participate in efforts to create wealth through production.

“So that, when they get out, they have skills they did not have when they went to prison,” President Museveni said.

He noted that in doing this, they must fight corruption; it is a disgrace and a big waste of public resources.

The president congratulated the new Cadet Assistant Superintendent of Prisons, Cadet Principal Officers, and Recruit Warders and Wardresses.

“I wish them good health, hunger to acquire more knowledge, and the spirit of patriotism,” President Museveni said.

Johnson Byabashaija, Commissioner General of the Uganda Prisons, thanked the President for the support and advice he gave on reducing prison congestion.

“Prison service numbers have progressively improved, by His Excellency’s support of increasing numbers and reducing congestion, we have reduced it by 10% since the last pass out five years ago, and we intend to take it to 25%,” Byabashaija said.

He noted that among the grandaunts’ were 5 engineers, whom they intend to incorporate into the engineering group to help in the expansion of the prison cells across the country.

Joining requirements for Uganda Prisons include being a Ugandan citizen, being between the ages of 18 and 35, being physically fit, having no criminal record, being a degree holder for positions of CASPS, having a diploma or its equivalent for CPOs, and having a diploma or its equivalent for Warders and Wardresses. Minimum of UCE certificate or its equivalent, with 5 passes, English a must, and a pass in math.

The courses take 18 months, 12 months, and 9 months, respectively.