Summary:
- The Uganda Prisons Service confirms ongoing plans to relocate Luzira Maximum Prison for the construction of a five-star hotel. Discussions are at the ministerial level, involving the president, Ministry of Internal Affairs, and Attorney General. President Museveni supports the initiative, and negotiations for land in Buikwe District are underway. Inquiries should be directed to relevant government offices for updates.
The Uganda Prisons Service has addressed ongoing discussions regarding the relocation of Luzira Maximum Prison to pave the way for the construction of a five-star hotel.
Frank Baine, the Prisons spokesperson, revealed that the matter is under ministerial consideration, involving discussions among the president, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and the Attorney General.
President Museveni expressed support for the initiative in a July 2022 letter to the Minister of Internal Affairs, giving clearance to allocate the land to Tian Tang Group for the hotel project.
Minister Otafiire, in a follow-up letter dated February 22, 2024, scheduled a consultative meeting on March 6 to further discuss the relocation plan. The Uganda Prisons Service has identified land in Buikwe District for the relocation, with negotiations underway with the family of the Late Antonio Lutwama Kabogoza, the current landowners.
While the Uganda Prisons Service refrains from commenting further as the matter remains at the ministerial level, discussions about Luzira’s relocation have been ongoing since 2013, dating back to the prison’s construction in 1927. Baine emphasized directing inquiries to the Attorney General, Minister of Internal Affairs, or the Office of the President for updates on the matter.
