The Uganda Prisons Service (UPS) has assured the country of continued security, discipline, and uninterrupted service delivery as the election period intensifies, revealing that the national inmate population has risen to 78,510 prisoners spread across 269 prison units.
Addressing journalists during the weekly press briefing at the Media Centre on Monday, January 5, UPS spokesperson Frank Baine Mayanja said the Service remains on high alert to guarantee safety and stability within all prison facilities.
“As of today, January 5, 2026, Uganda Prisons Service is holding 42,233 convicted prisoners, 35,694 remand prisoners and 583 debtors, bringing the total inmate population to 78,510, in addition to 277 children,” Mayanja said, adding that the inmates are housed in 19 prison regions nationwide.
He further disclosed that the Service is operating with a staff strength of 14,879 officers, who were commended by the Commissioner General of Prisons for maintaining law and order during the festive season.
“The Commissioner General congratulates all our staff and sister security agencies for ensuring a peaceful festive season. There were no jail breaks, no violence and no external attacks registered across the country,” Mayanja noted.
As the country heads into the peak of the election season, UPS has maintained Standby Class One status until February 15, 2026, a measure aimed at enhancing preparedness. However, Mayanja clarified that prisoner welfare remains a priority.
“Prisoner visitations will continue as normal, except that they will be temporarily suspended from January 14 to January 16, 2026, due to election-related security considerations,” he explained.
The Prisons Service also issued a firm warning against politicising internal disciplinary matters, describing recent claims by some politicians as misleading.
“Discipline within the Uganda Prisons Service is governed by the Prisons Act, 2006, the Public Service Standing Orders and the UPS Standing Orders. It is unfortunate and unacceptable for some politicians to deliberately misinform the public for political gain,” Mayanja said.
He also addressed concerns surrounding former warder Ampe Lawrence, noting that despite his exit from service, he remains bound by public service ethical standards.
“Ex-warder Ampe Lawrence is reminded that he is still subject to the Code of Conduct and Ethics of the Uganda Public Service as provided for under the law,” Mayanja stated.
Reaffirming the Service’s commitment, Mayanja said UPS will continue executing its constitutional mandate while upholding its core values.
“The Uganda Prisons Service remains committed to professionalism, reliability, integrity, security, oneness, nationalism and above all, discipline, as enshrined in the 1995 Constitution,” he said.
The briefing comes amid heightened national security arrangements ahead of the January 15 elections.
