President Yoweri Museveni has tasked the Minister of Internal Affairs, Gen Kahinda Otafiire, with engaging in talks with Tian Tiang Group, a Chinese company, regarding the redevelopment of Luzira Maximum Prison into a five-star hotel.
In his letter dated July 10, 2022, Museveni, expressing his support for the idea, ordered the Internal Affairs Ministry to find land to relocate the prison. This move would enable the Chinese company to construct the Uganda International Conference and Commercial Hub Center in Luzira.
Museveni stated that the Chinese company promised to cover all costs associated with the relocation of the prison.
In response to this directive, the Ministry of Internal Affairs has written to the Attorney General and the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, inviting them to a consultative meeting on the matter.
The meeting is scheduled to take place on March 6, 2024, at the Ministry of Internal Affairs Boardroom.
Meanwhile, the Uganda Prisons Service has already identified 3.5 square miles in Buikwe, out of which they have agreed to purchase one square mile for the relocation.
For some time, the government has sought to relocate Luzira Prison, citing the need to address congestion issues. Currently, Luzira Prisons, with a capacity of 1,700 inmates, holds over 7,700 inmates.
In the past, prison authorities proposed relocating Luzira Prisons to Mukono District, where they aimed to build a detention center with a capacity of 10,000 inmates.