LUZIRA, UGANDA – In a significant move to bolster its command structure, the Uganda Prisons Service has commissioned and decorated 58 senior officers upon their successful completion of an intensive Intermediate Command Course.
The graduation of this fourth cohort brings the total number of officers who have undergone this advanced training to 174, marking a strategic investment in the service's leadership pipeline. The curriculum, designed in partnership with higher institutions of learning, equipped the officers with essential skills in leadership, critical thinking, and practical prison management.
The ceremony, held at the Luzira Prisons Training Ground, was a platform for both commendation and a stark warning. The Commissioner General of Prisons, Johnson Byabashaija, hailed the graduates for their achievement but issued a forceful directive against operational lapses.
"Heartiest congratulations are for completing this vital course," Byabashaija stated. "However, this new expertise must be met with renewed vigilance. I command you to eradicate the operational weaknesses that have led to an unacceptable increase in inmate escapes. Your leadership is now the frontline of our security."
The event also underscored the government's commitment to enhancing the welfare of security personnel. The Guest of Honour, Lieutenant General Joseph Musanyufu, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, represented the Minister and pledged the government's dedication to improving salaries across all security organs.
The academic partners detailed the course's comprehensive nature. Professor Gerald Karyeija from the Uganda Management Institute highlighted the inclusion of entrepreneurial skills, preparing officers for holistic leadership and post-service life.
Further emphasising the human-centric approach of the modernised training, Hellen Nambarirwa, representing Makerere University's Professor Barnabas Nawangwe, outlined critical course units. "We have equipped these officers with the tools for peace-building, conflict resolution, and mental health awareness," she said. "These are not auxiliary skills; they are essential for mentoring both inmates and staff and for executing their duties with professionalism and humanity."
The pass-out ceremony signals a clear intent from the Uganda Prisons Service to fortify its ranks from within, combining advanced academic training with a direct mandate for operational excellence.
