Senators call for Prisons reforms

GASABO - Senators on Friday called for reforms in the National Prisons Service (NPS) saying that it should have autonomy from the central government. During a session convened to study a report by the standing committee on Foreign Affairs and Security, members of the Upper Chamber of parliament said that NPS’s lack of autonomy especially in budgeting was hampering its effectiveness. According to the report, the service’s budget is disbursed through the Local Government Ministry which channels it through districts. “We have to call the minister of Internal Security to explain to us how an autonomous institution depends on districts for its budget,” Kayumba Gahima Imaculee said. Senate President Dr Vincent Biruta called for the amendment of the 6-month budget which was endorsed by the Senate, if the NPS budget is still under the ministry of local government. Senators also lamented the fact that bio-gas remains unexploited in some prisons depriving them of energy while other problems include lack of decent accommodation for prison wardens. “We informed the minister of all these problems last year and he promised to come up with a solution, but we are having the same situation. We should call him to explain why,” Senator Antoine Mugesera said. The senators agreed by consensus to ask the Internal Security minister to immediately solve the problems. Ends