Kampala- Uganda Prisons has refuted claims that visitors must pay 50,000 shillings to see prisoners, clarifying that visitation is free of charge.
Frank Baine, Uganda Prisons Spokesperson, explained that a receipt shared online, purporting to show a visitation fee, was actually evidence of a payment made for a prisoner’s benefit.
“The public should disregard this misinformation, as visitation to our prisons is absolutely free,” Baine said. “We only require visitors to provide evidence of what they bring for the prisoner, but there is no fee charged for visitation itself,” he added.
“The receipt, dated July 24, 2024, showed a payment of 50,000 shillings made by Barack Kirabira Joseph Lincoln for prisoner David Musil. Baine emphasized that this payment was for the prisoner’s use, not a visitation fee.
Baine highlighted the importance of visitation for prisoners’ well-being, citing Section 90 of the Prisons Act, which states that prisoners must maintain contact with the outside world, especially with relatives and friends.
“We encourage visitors to come and see their loved ones, as long as they follow the regulations,” he added.Uganda Prisons also addressed rumors of discrimination in visitation policies.
Baine explained that visitation days are determined by the volume of visitors, not gender. “This is not discrimination, but rather a management decision based on the number of visitors,” he clarified.
Baine emphasized that all prisoners, including those on death row, are allowed to receive visitors. “We welcome visitors to come and see their loved ones, regardless of their sentence,” he said.