Concerns mount as male and female suspects share police cells: MPs demand urgent action

Legislators serving on the esteemed Public Accounts Committee of Parliament have expressed deep concern regarding the cohabitation of male and female suspects in certain police cells. In this modern era, it is disheartening to discover that there are still police stations where individuals of different genders are being detained together.

Legislators serving on the esteemed Public Accounts Committee of Parliament have expressed deep concern regarding the cohabitation of male and female suspects in certain police cells. In this modern era, it is disheartening to discover that there are still police stations where individuals of different genders are being detained together.

A critical examination of the Auditor General’s report for the financial year 2022/2023 revealed that out of the 72 police stations surveyed, a mere 11 had separate facilities to accommodate offenders based on gender. This leaves the majority of stations with detainees sharing the same detention areas.

During a session of the Public Accounts Committee, officials from the Uganda Police Force, led by the Director of ICT Felix Baryamwisaki and Undersecretary Aggrey Wunyi, were summoned to address the queries raised in the Auditor General’s report.

The committee wasted no time in questioning the Uganda Police regarding the prolonged detention of suspects beyond the recommended 48-hour period. Muwanga Kivumbi, the committee’s chairperson, cited the findings of the Auditor General’s report, which highlighted that 362 suspects had been unlawfully detained for over two weeks in the sampled 42 police stations. Of particular concern were the high numbers at Kasangati and Nakasongola stations.

Expressing his frustration, Muwanga questioned, “Why is it that Kasangati, the hometown of my President of NUP Robert Kyagulanyi and Dr. Kiiza Besigye, has the highest number of suspects who have spent more than two weeks in detention?”

Furthermore, the committee noted that among the 60 sampled police stations, several lacked separate cells for different categories of suspects, including teenagers, males, and females. This practice of co-detention raised serious concerns among the legislators.

The legislators were also appalled by the prevalence of the bucket system in many police stations. Sarah Opendi, voicing her disbelief, exclaimed, “Can you imagine a detention facility where both male and female suspects are compelled to utilize the same bucket?”

In an effort to understand the gravity of the situation, Opendi proposed a face-to-face encounter between these officers and the committee members. “I believe we should gather them in one room for a day and witness the outcome,” she suggested.

Regrettably, the bucket system remains in use in various police stations, including Palisa, Hoima, Kikube, Mbarara, Rukiga, Kasese, Obongi, Adjumani, Moyo, Terego, and Gulu, among others, as pointed out by the legislators.