Scouting Making a Difference in a Ugandan Prison

BACKGROUND
Luzira is a suburb of Kampala, the capital of Uganda. Luzira lies in Nakawa Division, one of the five administrative divisions of Kampala. It is located approximately 12 kilometres, by road, southeast of the central business district of Kampala. It is bordered by Butabika to the north, Mutungo and Kitintale to the northwest, Mpanga to the west, Port Bell to the south and an inlet of Lake Victoria to the east.

Luzira is best known for the country's main prison, Luzira Maximum Security Prison. Within the Prison compound lies another prison for petty offenders called the Murchison Bay Prison; which hosts over 5,000 inmates.

HOW IT ALL STARTED
The Murchison Bay Prison Scouts Troop is community service project was initiated by Dr. Moses Mpuuga, the Youth Programme Director at Uganda Scouts Association in February 2015 under the Messengers of Peace programme. Dr. Moses, a medical doctor, works as a part time consultant with the Uganda Prisons Service. Murchison Bay Prison is one of the stations he visits.

During one the Prison’s Sports Day, he was invited by the Officer in Charge of the Prison and appeared wearing a scout scarf, accompanied by a Rover Scout, Raphael Njumba. On seeing them, one of the inmates approached and saluted. They saluted back and exchanged a left handshake.

There is how the discussion to establish the Scout troop started. The inmate who met them quickly mobilized his friends, and about two weeks later they came together to form the Murchison Bay Scouts Troop. During the launch of the troop, Dr. Moses reiterated to them that Scouts are Messengers of Peace.

THE MURCHISON BAY PRISON SCOUTS TROOP
With membership free and open to all inmates, the Murchsion Bay Prison Scouts Troop has grown to over 50 members in less than 2 months. The troop is well organized and the members are divided into four patrols; Simba (Lion), Nyoka (Snake), Nyatti (Buffalo) and Chui (Leopard). Each patrol ahs a Patrol Leader; all of whom come together to form the Troop Executive Committee under the leadership Troop Leader, Mr. Otimo Opus Moses.

Also in the committee as ex-officio members are the Inmates Chairman, Mr. Klauma Abdul-Kharim and Prison Welfare Officer, Ms. Lillian. The troop operates under the support of the Officer In-charge of the Prison, with authority from the Commissioner General of the Uganda Prisons Service.

TROOP ACTIVITIES
Some of the activities the troop is currently undertaking include the following:

• Regular troop meetings every Sunday
• Life skills training
• Community work in support of Prison programmes
• Leadership training to enable them support Scouting back in their districts when they finish serving their jail terms.
• Supporting the medical doctor in administering drugs to fellow inmates and performing first aid at the sick bay
• They also run small micro-projects dealing with the production of liquid soap that is used for cleaning within the prison and also sold to the locals in small quantities.

A VISIT TO THE PRISON BY OFFICIALS OF THE AFRICA REGIONAL OFFICE
On 12th March 2015, during the Africa Scout Day two officials from the World Scout Bureau – Africa Regional Office visited the Scouts at the Prison. Mr. Jonathan Omondi, the Youth Programme Manager and Mr. Nelson Opany, the Communications and Public Relations Officer accompanied by dr. Moses and Raphael met and spent time with the members of Murchison Bay Scout Troop.

Together with the prisoners, dressed in their bright yellow prisons uniform with black downward stripes, they re-affirmed the Scout promise. It was a beautiful moment watching them make the Scout sign and recite the Scout Promise word by word.

Speaking to the inmates Jonathan said that, “Scouting is about three things: keeping the Scout promise, empowering young people and making a difference in the community.” “This is a powerful story. I urge you to continue doing the good work you are doing. We look forward to seeing a Messengers of Peace Hero emerge from amongst you,” he added.

Underscoring the need for more advocacy about life in Prison Dr. Moses observed that not every one in prison deserves the worst, and not every free person is better than a prisoner. “Prisoners really need a listening heart. You cannot know what they go through until you open up to them,” he said.

He called on the inmates to embrace forgiveness and make peace saying that forgiveness is the beginning of healing and recovery; adding that love is the best weapon for peacemaking!

CONVERSATIONS FROM THE PRISON
Below are excerpts from conversations with the prisoners.

“We have opened our hearts to learn so that we do not become the laughing stock of our communities.”
Otimo Opus Moses, Troop Leader, Murchison Bay Prison Scouts Troop

“We appreciate the Association for the initiative to support us to learn while in prison.”
Otimo Opus Moses, Troop Leader, Murchison Bay Prison Scouts Troop

“Scouting is about making a difference – a fundamental difference!”
Kaluuma Abdul-Kharim, Inmates Chairman, Murchison Bay Prison

“The Scouting movement has helped to make the prison and better place. We look forward to more support from the Prison and the Association.”
Kaluuma Abdul-Kharim, Inmates Chairman, Murchison Bay Prison

“We appreciate so much the love, care and efforts to be with the prisoners. These Prisoners are so resourceful – they only need support to exploit their potentials.”
Ms. Lillian, Welfare Officer, Murchison Bay Prison

“Our mandate as Uganda Prisons Service is the custody of prisoners and rehabilitation of offenders. We thank the Ugandan Scouts for supporting us in this work.”
Mr. Joel Kiggundu, Deputy Officer In-charge, Murchison Bay Prison

“Having the Scouting movement introduced in the prison has completely transformed the prison environment. We are very happy and look forward to working with Uganda Scouts Association to upscale this in our other facilities.”
Mr. Joel Kiggundu, Deputy Officer In-charge, Murchison Bay Prison

CALL FOR SUPPORT
Looking into the future, Uganda Scouts Association, working in partnership with the prison administration is looking at ways to further support the troop. They have identifies key areas of support and are calling upon various stakeholders to join them in this very noble cause.

The areas of need identified include, among other things the following:

• Purchase of Scout Uniform and scarves/neckerchiefs for the troop members
• Supporting the Prison in organizing and facilitating prison sports activities and other social programmes
• Provision of Life-skills and entrepreneurship training for the inmates
• Acquisition of raw material and market to allow for expansion of the troop’s liquid soap-making micro-project
• Making the Prison a learning centre for Scouts in liquid soap-making as a way of enhancing integration of prisoners with the community as well as increasing advocacy about life in prison.
• Development of a concrete proposal to support the scaling up the project in order to put Scouting at the centre of Prisons Correctional Services in Uganda and probably beyond.

CONTACTS
To know more or to support the project please contact us:

World Scout Bureau - Africa Regional Office
Cell+254 20 387 34 36/ +254 728 499 553
Email: africa@scout.org