LUZIRA, Uganda: The Vice President Retired Major Jessica Alupo, has passed out a total of 1,238 prison officers after completing a 9-months training in Basic Recruit Warders and Wardresses.
Of these, 912 are male and 326 female. The officers have been equipped with skills to ably rehabilitate prisoners.
This number will help to address the staffing gaps and support the execution of the Uganda Prisons Service’s mandate of protecting and development of the society by providing safe, secure and humane custody of offenders while placing human rights at the center of their correctional programs.
In her remarks, the vice president thanked the new recruits for coming forward to serve their motherland, in the prime of their lives, when they are still young and energetic. She was representing President Yoweri Museveni, the country’s 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 the security forces of Uganda, she reminded the officers of their mandate to guarantee the peace, stability and socio-economic transformation in all parts of Uganda.
She urged the Warders and Wardresses to adopt healthy lifestyles by avoiding alcohol 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 said.
She further urged the new warders and wardresses not be lazy at work. “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.
Alupo warned that once they live reckless lifestyles, the prisons officers risk getting STDs, including HIV/AIDS, from promiscuity.
“You may be unfit and sickly because you lack exercises. All this will undermine your ability to make a contribution to your country or sacrifice for it, if necessary,” she said.
She reminded the officers that they need their bodies, mind and spirit to be in top condition so as to be ready to contribute to your Country, to East Africa and to Africa.
She said between 1962 and 1986, it was not possible to build a strong army and state because of sectarianism, adding that this resulted in a total breakdown of peace and security across the Country.
However, Alupo noted that the NRM reversed this terrible situation by mobilizing the people of Uganda, for the first time, around their well-articulated interests.
Internal Affairs Minister Gen. Kahinda Otafire told the gathering that this pass-out reflects Uganda Prison Service’s continued commitment to Human Resource Development, aimed at building a skilled, disciplined and professional workforce to support the fulfillment of its mandate and strategic objectives.
The Commissioner General Dr. Johnson Byabashaija indicated that the recruits have undergone structured training designed to instill professionalism, integrity, discipline, and respect for human rights.
This, he added is intended to strengthen service delivery and enhance the capacity of the Service in ensuring safe, secure and humane custody, rehabilitation and reintegration of offenders.
Acting Commandant of the Prisons Academy and Training School, Mary Centinary emphasized that UPS acknowledges that human capital is without a doubt the most tangible asset to develop and therefore continues to invest in training.
Therefore, with this number passing out, the service will be boosted in the execution of its mandate.
