Uganda Confirms 93 Inmates on Death Row, No Executions Since 1999

The Uganda Prisons Service has confirmed that 93 inmates are currently on death row, while emphasizing that no executions have taken place in the country since 1999. Senior Commissioner of Prisons Frank Baine stated that the service maintains precise and comprehensive records of all inmates nationwide through a centralized documentation system.

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the institution maintains comprehensive and accurate records of all inmates nationwide, supported by a centralized system of documentation across prison facilities.

Baine asserted that inmate data is consistently updated and verified, ensuring the national prisoner count is always accurate. He also highlighted the quality of medical care provided within Ugandan prisons, suggesting that these services are sometimes comparable to or even surpass those offered by private healthcare institutions.

Regarding welfare and discipline, Baine described prison officers as managing inmates from diverse backgrounds, necessitating strict adherence to operational discipline for the safety of both staff and prisoners. He characterized Ugandan inmates as highly disciplined, attributing this to structured routines, care, and the relationships fostered between staff and prisoners.

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the services provided in prison health facilities are in some cases comparable to, or better than, those offered in private health institutions.

Concerning capital punishment, Baine reiterated that Uganda has not carried out any executions since 1999. He explained that although murder remains a capital offense under Ugandan law, death sentences are subject to thorough appeal processes, including confirmation by the Supreme Court, before any execution can proceed. This extended period without executions has allowed for more detailed case reviews by authorities and stakeholders, which Baine believes helps mitigate the risk of irreversible judicial errors.

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Ugandan inmates as 'the most disciplined in the world,' attributing this to structured routines, care, and the relationship between staff and prisoners.

Baine also pointed to the ongoing provision of counseling and psychosocial support services for inmates. However, he identified a gap in the system concerning prison officers, who often lack structured counseling support despite working in high-pressure environments. Of the 93 inmates currently on death row, two are women.

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although murder remains a capital offence under Ugandan law, death sentences are subject to appeal processes, including confirmation by the Supreme Court before any execution can be carried out.