By BuwuleJoseph MaryLUZIRA
The Vice President, Retired Major Jessica Alupo, has passed out a total of 1,238 prison officers after completing nine months of training under the Basic Recruit Warders and Wardresses course.Of these, 912 are male and 326 female.
The officers have been equipped with skills to effectively rehabilitate prisoners.The addition of these recruits is expected to help address staffing gaps and strengthen the execution of the Uganda Prisons Service mandate of protecting and developing society by providing safe, secure, and humane custody of offenders, while placing human rights at the center of correctional programs.
In her remarks, the Vice President thanked the new recruits for stepping forward to serve their motherland at a time when they are still young and energetic. She represented President Yoweri Museveni, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.
“I welcome you to a noble and respectable service that is anchored on discipline, professionalism, and patriotic service to your country,” Alupo said.As members of Uganda’s security forces, she reminded the officers of their responsibility to guarantee peace, stability, and socio-economic transformation across the country.
Alupo urged the warders and wardresses to adopt responsible and healthy lifestyles, cautioning them against alcohol abuse and promiscuity.
“If you know that you are a patriot and that your family and your country depend on you, you cannot handle your life recklessly,” she emphasized.She further advised the officers to remain active and disciplined, encouraging them to engage in sports and regular exercise to maintain physical fitness.
“You should do sports and exercises in order to be fit and lead a disciplined life. If you do not do the above, you may get into complications,” she warned.The Vice President cautioned that reckless lifestyles expose officers to risks such as sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV/AIDS, and general ill health, which can undermine their ability to serve effectively.
“You may be unfit and sickly because you lack exercise. All this will undermine your ability to contribute to your country or sacrifice for it, if necessary,” she said.She stressed the importance of maintaining sound body, mind, and spirit to enable officers to contribute meaningfully not only to Uganda but also to the East African region and the African continent.Reflecting on Uganda’s history, Alupo noted that between 1962 and 1986, sectarianism hindered the development of a strong army and state, leading to a breakdown in peace and security.
She added that the NRM government reversed this trend by mobilizing Ugandans around shared national interests.The Minister of Internal Affairs, Gen. Kahinda Otafire, said the pass-out reflects the Uganda Prisons Service’s continued commitment to human resource development, aimed at building a skilled, disciplined, and professional workforce.
The Commissioner General of Prisons, Dr. Johnson Byabashaija, noted that the recruits underwent structured training designed to instill professionalism, integrity, discipline, and respect for human rights.
He added that this will enhance service delivery and strengthen the Service’s capacity to ensure safe, secure, and humane custody, as well as the rehabilitation and reintegration of offenders.
The Acting Commandant of the Prisons Academy and Training School, Mary Centenary, emphasized that the Uganda Prisons Service recognizes human capital as its most valuable asset and continues to invest in training.With the latest cohort passing out, the Service is expected to be further strengthened in executing its mandate.