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Masaka Inmates Riot Over Poor Food

New Vision (Kampala)
NEWS
November 17, 2004
Posted to the web November 17, 2004

By Eddie Ssejjoba
Kampala

Gunshots rocked Masaka Government prisonas inmates rioted and hunted for prison warders.

The anti-riot police deployed and sealed off the place to contain therioting.

The strikebegan on Monday afternoon with inmates grumblingover poor food.

It became violentyesterday when inmates looked for warders to beat.

Masaka district Police commander James Musaanya deployed the Police to reinforce the warders who fled in fear of the violent prisoners. The in-charge of the prison, Robert Munanura, asked for the reinforcement.

Musaanya, who visited the prison on Monday, said most inmates rejected the food. Some of them ate only beans and demanded better posho.

He said the anti-riot police were first deployed on Monday and calmed the situation. They were, however, called in again yesterday morning when the inmates became violent.

Musaanya said some warders shot in air and later the police sealed off the area and picked out about 10 ring leaders.

"The 10 will be transferred to Luzira upper prisonfor safe custody," he said.

Munanura said he had briefed his bosses in Kampala about the situation, adding that they were expecting better food from Kampala.

By press time, security was still tight as warders took control of the situation.

 
 

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