Uganda Prisons Service (UPS) has announced a temporary suspension of prisoner visitations as part of heightened security measures ahead of the January 15 Presidential and Parliamentary elections.
Speaking to journalists on Monday at the Media Centre, UPS spokesperson Frank Baine Mayanja said the suspension will run from January 14 to January 16, 2026, after which normal visitation schedules will resume.
“Prisoner visitations will continue as usual, except that they will be temporarily suspended from 14th to 16th January 2026 due to the election period,” Mayanja said, noting that the decision is aimed at strengthening security and operational readiness.
Mayanja reassured families and the general public that the measure is short-term and should not be interpreted as a denial of prisoners’ rights. He added that UPS has maintained Standby Class One status until February 15, 2026, to ensure maximum preparedness during the election period.
The Prisons Service also revealed that it is currently holding 78,510 inmates, comprising 42,233 convicts, 35,694 remand prisoners and 583 debtors, in 269 prison units across 19 regions, in addition to 277 children living with their mothers in custody facilities.
Commending officers for professionalism, Mayanja said the Commissioner General of Prisons congratulated staff and sister security agencies for ensuring a peaceful festive season.
“There were no jail breaks, no incidents of violence and no external attacks recorded during the festive season,” he said.
Addressing public debate on staff discipline, the UPS spokesperson warned against politicising internal management matters.
“Discipline within Uganda Prisons Service is governed by the Prisons Act, 2006, and the Public Service Standing Orders. It is unfortunate and unacceptable for some politicians to deliberately misinform the public for political gain,” Mayanja stated.
He further noted that former warder Ampe Lawrence remains bound by the Public Service Code of Conduct and Ethics despite leaving the Service.
Mayanja emphasized that UPS will continue executing its constitutional mandate while upholding its core values of professionalism, integrity, security and discipline throughout the election period.
Normal prison visitations are expected to resume immediately after January 16.
