SOUTHERN PROVINCE

MUHANGA— Despite the increasing pressure from a number of NGOs in the country, the government will not permit distribution of condoms to inmates.

Steven Balinda, the Director of Rwanda prisons said this last Friday at a function to award certificates to inmates of Gitarama prison, who had completed training in HIV/Aids prevention and treatment.

At least 100 inmates and five prisons wardens underwent the training. Balinda cautioned inmates against homosexuality and adultery, blaming it for increased spread of sexually transmitted diseases among inmates.

He said: "I know that homosexuality exists but we are not going to condone the practice. We need to revive our cultural values and exercise patience in order to contain HIV/Aids. Each one should be on the look out for homosexuals so that the immoral practice is eliminated completely."

He added, the use of condoms will not be permitted by prisons authorities despite the fact that some international NGOs have been pushing for the distribution of condoms in cells.

Balinda noted that most of the HIV-infected inmates were those assigned to outside building projects. He blamed the increased sexual misconduct to reluctance of prisons wardens who accompany the inmates and site managers especially in Kigali.

The trained group will act as peer leaders in and outside prisons walls. They will establish anti-Aids clubs, host open forums, and create projects to sensitize others. The training was organized by the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) under a programme called ‘Uniformed Personnel and Prisoners (UPP).

"The UPP programme is the first of its kind in prisons and its intended to equip inmates with necessary information on prevention and treatment of HIV/Aids as a way of getting prepared for life outside and inside prison," Godfrey Sserwadda, the UPP project manager said.

Over 30,000 uniformed personnel and their spouses are expected to receive similar training by the end of the year; to step up the fight against Aids among inmates and uniformed personnel.

The prisoners, demonstrated the lessons learnt through drama, poems and songs, which reflected the danger of HIV/Aids and the need to protect self, neighbours and family in order to have economic growth.

The prison boss said he was impressed with the training, saying the expected results will be part of the global campaign on the scourge. He urged prisoners to avoid reckless sexual behaviour.

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