Uganda

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CountryUganda
Ministry responsible
Ministry of Internal Affairs
Prison administration
Uganda Prisons Service
Contact address
Plot 13/15 Parliament Avenue, P.O.Box 7182 Kampala, Uganda
Telephone
+256 41 256751 or 342136
Fax
+256 41 343330
Website
Email
info@ugandaprisons.go.ug
Head of prison administration (and title)
(Dr) Johnson O.R. Byabashaija
Commissioner General of Prisons
Prison population total (including pre-trial detainees / remand prisoners)
78 539
at August 2024 (national prison administration)
Prison population rate (per 100,000 of national population)
154
based on an estimated national population of 51.14 million at August 2024 (from United Nations figures)
Pre-trial detainees / remand prisoners (percentage of prison population)
46.8%
(August 2024)
Female prisoners (percentage of prison population)
4.8%
(August 2024)
Juveniles / minors / young prisoners incl. definition (percentage of prison population)
0.0%
(31.12.2020 - under 18; 17.9% under 21)
Foreign prisoners (percentage of prison population)
1.8%
(31.12.2020)
Number of establishments / institutions
254
(2019)
Official capacity of prison system
21 126
(August 2024)
Occupancy level (based on official capacity)
371.8%
(August 2024)
Prison population trend
(year, prison population total, prison population rate)
2000 c 21,700 c 92
2002 c 21,900 c 87
2005 26,126 93
2008 28,337 90
2010 30,312 91
2012 34,940 97
2014 42,330 110
2016 51,354 126
2018 55,684 127
2020 58,660 133
2022 74,414 150
2000 c 21,700 c 92
2002 c 21,900 c 87
2005 26,126 93
2008 28,337 90
2010 30,312 91
2012 34,940 97
2014 42,330 110
2016 51,354 126
2018 55,684 127
2020 58,660 133
2022 74,414 150

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Pre-trial/remand prison population: trend

The table below gives an indication of the recent trend in the pre-trial/remand prison population. The final row shows the latest figures available.

It consists of the number of pre-trial/remand prisoners in the prison population on a single date in the year (or the annual average) and the percentage of the total prison population that pre-trial/remand prisoners constituted on that day.  

The final column shows the pre-trial/remand population rate per 100,000 of the national population. 

                                                 UGANDA

Year

Number in
pre-trial/remand
imprisonment

Percentage
of total
prison population

Pre-trial/remand
population rate
(per 100,000 of
national population)

2005
2008
2011
2015
2020

15,163
15,134
16,658
24,803
28,772

58.0%
59.4%
54.4%
54.5%
49.0%

53
48
49
63
62

2024

36,719

46.8%

72

It should be noted that the number of pre-trial/remand prisoners fluctuates from day to day, month to month and year to year. Consequently the above figures give an indication of the trend but the picture is inevitably incomplete.

The pre-trial/remand population rate is calculated on the basis of the national population total. All national population figures are inevitably estimates but the estimates used in the World Prison Brief are based on official national figures, United Nations figures or figures from other recognised international authorities. 

Female prison population: trend

The table below gives an indication of the trend in the female prison population. The final row shows the latest figures available.

It consists of the number of female prisoners in the prison population on a single date in the year (or the annual average) and the percentage of the total prison population that female prisoners constituted on that day. 

The final column shows the female prison population rate per 100,000 of the national population.

                                                  UGANDA

Year

Number of
female
prisoners

Percentage
of total
prison population

Female prison
population rate
(per 100,000 of
national population)

2005
2008
2010
2015
2020

901
1,070
1,296
2,033
2,388

3.4%
3.7%
4.3%
4.5%
4.1%

3.2
3.4
3.9
5.1
5.1

2024

3,764

4.8%

7.4

The number of female prisoners fluctuates and so the above figures give an indication of the trend but the picture is inevitably incomplete.

The female prison population rate is calculated on the basis of the national population total. All national population figures are inevitably estimates but the estimates used in the World Prison Brief are based on official national figures, United Nations figures or figures from other recognised international authorities.

(If the rate were calculated on the basis of the number of females in the national population it would of course be approximately double the figure in the final column).

Prison population total
Prison population rate