294 Babies Living Behind Bars: MPs Raise Alarm Over Children Incarcerated with Mothers in Uganda’s Prisons

The revelation sparked concern among Members of Parliament, led by Reuben Arinaitwe (Isingiro West), who questioned the fate of the children, especially in cases where relatives are unwilling or unable to take responsibility for them.

The Uganda Prisons Service (UPS) has revealed that at least 294 babies are currently living in prisons across the country alongside their incarcerated mothers, a situation that continues to worsen congestion in detention facilities.

“We are also reporting on the daily average of prisoners, and we note that some of the female prisoners have babies. This adds an additional 294 babies who are staying with their mothers in prison,” Aturwanirire told the committee.

The revelation sparked concern among Members of Parliament, led by Reuben Arinaitwe (Isingiro West), who questioned the fate of the children, especially in cases where relatives are unwilling or unable to take responsibility for them.

“I have been wondering about mothers with babies in prison, 294 babies. What happens to these children? What is their fate?” Arinaitwe asked.
“In most cases, if a woman is in prison, relatives sometimes abandon her. If they refuse to collect the children, where do they end up?”

Wilson Kagyenjwe (Nyabushozi County) also weighed in, raising questions about whether women become pregnant while already incarcerated.

“My concern would be whether these mothers come to prison pregnant or get pregnant while in custody. Otherwise, how can the country continue having babies in prison? Something has to be done,” Kagyenjwe said.

However, the Deputy Commissioner General of Prisons, Samuel Akena, dismissed claims that women become pregnant while in custody, stating that strict procedures are in place.

“Our systems are very clear. Women either come to prison already pregnant or with babies they were carrying before incarceration. All female inmates undergo thorough medical screening upon entry,” Akena explained.

He added that, by law, children are allowed to stay with their mothers until at least 18 months of age, though in practice some remain until they are 24 months old.

“When they reach prison with these children, most mothers do not want to release them. In some cases, the minimum care we provide in prison is better than what the children would receive outside,” Akena said. “We always try to make life a little better for these children.”

According to the Uganda Prisons Service, baby care centres have been established in major women’s prisons to provide basic healthcare, nutrition, and protection for infants.

Akena further explained that some women are arrested while pregnant, noting that pregnancy may occur shortly before arrest.

“A woman may commit an offence while already pregnant. When she comes to prison, we conduct pre-entry screening, including pregnancy tests, HIV and TB screening, and other health checks,” he said.

“If she is on a two-year sentence and pregnant at entry, she will inevitably give birth while in custody.”

The Uganda Prisons Service says it continues to engage government and stakeholders on improving facilities for women inmates and addressing the broader issue of prison congestion.