The Uganda Prisons Service has refuted allegations by prisoners undergoing trial on the Magara murder case at Uganda Maximum Security Prison Upper, Luzira, indicating prisoners were hungry and were never allowed to be visited at the courtroom.

Frank Mayanja Baine, the Senior Commissioner of Prisons, who doubles as the Service Spokesperson, said that on October 31, 2023, the prisoners, through their lawyer, claimed to have missed supper the previous day and breakfast.

“On the contrary, the prisoners were allowed to have dinner as they left court on October 30, 2023, at around 20:10 hours. They had breakfast with others the next morning at around 06:30 hours before heading to court,” Baine said.

“It’s also important to note that the same prisoners receive visitors regularly, according to our visitor register. The visitors included Unusu Kato, Mariam Nakalega, Madinah Nansubuga, Aisha Nalubega, Robinah Nakonde, Haruna Lukwago, Abubakar Lukayiya, Umaru Ssebuguzi, and Ronald Kimera,” he added.

Baine said the Uganda Prisons Service strictly adheres to the Mandela Rules (International Standard Minimum Rules for Treatment of Offenders) in the management of prisoners throughout the country.