Training Program for Prisons officers to combat violent extremism in Eastern Uganda launched

By Emmanuel Sekago

Uganda Prisons Service, in partnership with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (@UNODC_EA) and the European Union, launched a five-day training course for prison officers to strengthen efforts in managing violent extremist prisoners, preventing radicalization to violence, and enhancing human rights in prisons.

The training, which kicked off in Jinja City, on Monday, July 1st 2024 covers the administrative regions of South Eastern, East Central, and Iganga, with 60 prison officers participating in the course.

Mr. Simon Alex Ben Wansadha, Commissioner of Prisons (Safety, Security, Operations), emphasized the importance of enhancing the capacity of prison staff in managing violent extremist prisoners and preventing radicalization in prisons.

He highlighted the need for a multidisciplinary approach involving prison staff, community leaders, religious leaders, and civil society organizations, stressing that prisons should focus on rehabilitation rather than radicalization.

He noted that prison officers are the frontline defenders against radicalization and stressed the need to equip them with the necessary skills and knowledge to prevent the spread of violent extremism in prisons.

As day one of the training program concluded, participants gained valuable insights into international frameworks and guidelines for preventing radicalization and violent extremism in prisons.

They learned about the UN Standard Minimum Rules on the treatment of offenders and the Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy.

The goal of the training is to reach over 400 prison officers nationwide, drawn from the existing 269 stations across all 19 administrative regions of Uganda.

The training has already been successfully conducted in Kampala Extra, Central, and North Central Regions.