On the morning of 23rd July 2024, activist Faiza Salima alias Faiza Fabs, along with Baron Edgar Hamala, Bernard Olupot Ewalu (Beewol), doctor Thomas Kanzira, and Aljab Musinguzi, and other 70 protesters, was sent to Luzira Prison.
The group had been arrested for participating in a peaceful protest at Oasis Mall, Nakumatt, demanding the resignation of Speaker Anita Among.
They were detained at Jinja Road Police Station before being arraigned at the Nakawa Chief Magistrates Court, where they were charged with being a “common nuisance” and initially also “idle and disorderly.” The charges stemmed from accusations of causing public “annoyance, obstruction, or inconvenience.”
They were subsequently charged in Court and remanded to Luzira Prison and on Tuesday they were released on bail.
During her appearance on KFM, where she hosts the early morning show De Mighty Breakfast, Faiza shared her harrowing experience in Luzira Prison.
Upon arrival, she was placed in ward five, where she immediately noticed the deplorable conditions of the prison facilities. “The facilities of Luzira Prison are so bad. Toilets have been used for a long time and they need renovation,” Faiza explained, highlighting one of the many challenges inmates face daily.
The sleeping arrangements were equally distressing. Inmates had to share a one-inch mattress in the hall, with some sleeping on beds while others had to sleep on the floor.
Faiza described the meager bedding provided: “You are given two blankets, one used as a bed sheet. If you buy bed sheets, you have to leave them there when you leave prison.” The inadequate sleeping conditions added to the physical and emotional strain of her imprisonment.
Faiza also recounted the dismal quality of food served in the prison. She initially mistook the porridge for oats due to its low quality. “The quality is the lowest grade, and that porridge is the best they have,” she said. The prison only prepares meals once a day, which served as both lunch and supper, leaving inmates with limited nutritional intake.
The clothing situation was another major issue. Inmates were given only one uniform and had to rely on the goodwill of the katikiro (head of prisoners) to obtain a reserve uniform. “If you don’t get a reserve uniform, you have to wash what you have, wear it while it’s wet, and let it dry on your body,” Faiza explained. The lack of adequate clothing further highlighted the harsh living conditions within the prison.
Despite the dire conditions, Faiza and her fellow activists remained steadfast in their commitment to their cause. Their arrest and subsequent detention drew significant attention, with netizens calling for their release and expressing solidarity with their plight. On the morning of their court appearance, the activists arrived with hopeful spirits for their bail application. The court eventually granted bail to Faiza and three others, each required to pay Shs200k, with their sureties bonded a non-cash bond of Shs500,000.
Faiza’s testimony shed light on the grim realities faced by inmates in Luzira Prison, emphasizing the urgent need for reforms.
Her experience underscores the resilience and determination of activists who continue to fight for justice despite the physical and legal challenges they encounter.
As calls for their release and prison reform grow louder, Faiza’s story serves as a poignant reminder of the human cost of activism and the enduring struggle for accountability and human rights.
