Kira – Wakiso, (UG):- Authorities at Kira Magistrates Court in Kira Municipality, Wakiso District on Friday shot and injured a prisoner who tried to escape from court where he had been brought for mention of his case.
The suspect identified as Isma Mutesa, of Prison Number UR 402/23 currently in custody at Uganda Prison Upper, Luzira in Kampala, was shot in the leg and arrested after he jumped out of the dock during an ongoing court session.
“On Friday, 19th July, 2024 at around 1130hrs, No. UR.402/23 Mutesa Isma, a remand prisoner from UG. Prison Upper, Luzira on charges of aggravated robbery, attempted to escape at Kira Magistrate Court by jumping from the dock during a court session,” the Uganda Prisons Service Spokesperson, Mr Frank Baine said in a press statement.
He added that Mutesa was pursued by the alert prison sentries who apprehended him after shooting him in the leg and is currently being treated at Murchison Bay Prison Hospital in Luzira.
“The alert prison sentries immediately gave chase and apprehended him minutes later after he was disabled with a single bullet to the ankle. Isma was subsequently evacuated to Murchison Bay Prison Hospital, and his condition remains stable,” Baine’s statement read.
The Prisons Spokesperson commended the vigilance and professionalism of the staff and sister forces that played a crucial role in recapturing the escapee and warned inmates against any attempts to escape.
The 2023 Prisons Service Report on the status of prisoners’ population and staffing position shows that a total of 337 inmates escaped from different prisons across the country between January and September 2023.
Of these, the report reveals that 136 were recaptured and 201 were still at large. Out of the 169 prisons across Uganda, Namalu, Alebtong, Sheema and Ragem registered the highest number of escapees.
The report further shows that in September 2023 alone, 44 prisoners escaped from lawful custody, reflecting an escape rate of 0.6 per 1,000 prisoners.
Do you have a story or an opinion to share? Email us on: dailyexpressug@gmail.com Or follow the Daily Express on X Platform or WhatsApp for the latest updates.
