The Uganda Prisons Services has suspended visits to inmates in all prisons around the country over the coronavirus pandemic.

Suspension follows a directive issued by President Museveni on a number of guidelines in which he banned all social, political, cultural and any other form of gatherings as a way of preventing the spread of coronavirus.

Consequently, the Commissioner General of Prisons, Dr. Johnson Byahbashaija has directed that no Visitor will be allowed in prisons for the next one month as a measure to control the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.

“Please be informed that following the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, stop all visits to prisoners. Also note that no visitors of staff are allowed in the barracks. Treat this message with utmost urgency and importance it deserves,” the directive by Byabashaija reads in part.

In a separate directive, the Commissioner General of Prisons has also directed that no prisoner should be taken out of prisons as it has been the norm when they go to work on various farms.

“No inmate shall be taken out for labor whatsoever. Any officer in charge who contravenes any details in this directive shall take full responsibility for his/ her actions,” the message reads.

Regional Prisons commanders have been directed to monitor and enforce compliance of the same.