Masindi magisterial court embarks on community services to decongest prisons in greater Masindi

Masindi-In a bid to decongesting prisons in the districts of Masindi, Bulisa
and Kiryandongo, Masindi magisterial court has embarked on giving
community service punishments to offenders who have committed minor
crimes.

“Community service” means noncustodial punishment by which after
conviction the court, with the consent of the offender, makes an order
for the offender to serve the community rather than undergo
imprisonment.

According to Moses Kule Lubangula, the chief Magistrate Masindi court,
they are doing this to decongest prisons in the three districts which
are too much overcrowded.

He adds that the ministry of Internal Affairs has deployed a district
coordinator for community services by the names of Rachael Atuhura who
will be spear heading and supervising the exercise.

He also says that the program has been ongoing but no much emphasis
had been put on it adding that even the community members in the area
have not yet embraced.

He also explains that when the offenders are given community service,
some community members raise against them thinking that they may do
the practice again.

Kule also notes that they are going to do thorough sensitization
amongst the community members by conducting talk shows on the local
radio stations such that members can understand its benefits.