Day 5

Right then, today we have visited Kasangati Prison. Kasangati made the news yesterday as there were riots there and the arrest of the governments opposition leader. Today there were tanks on the streets and armoured vehicles with water cannons.
Kasangati is a very small prison with 150 inmates (only 7 of which are women). They only take prisoners who have committed small / petty crimes such as theft and debt. We visited the health clinic there - a room that is only 6ft by 6ft, a drum for a desk and all the equipment held in cardboard boxes. There is no couch so any treatment has to be done with the prisoner standing or lying on the floor. The nurse there is called Florence (suitable name) and, unsurprisingly, she is very frustrated with the facilities. No toilet, so sanitation is a problem and, of course, disease spreads very quickly in the confined space. She was pleased to talk to us though, to have some support. I am anticipating that we will be able to help here alot in the future.
This afternoon we are travelling to Gulu in the north of Uganda to spend some time at the health centre there, offering support to the health workers there and to visit and talk to the sick inmates. Its incredibly frustrating as our permission letters have still not arrived. The administration in the prison system here is so slow. Its bad enough for us but imagine if you were a prisoner on death row waiting for trial - it must be so awful.

Sorry no photos today as taking photos in the prisons is prohibited.

Take care everyone. Off to Gulu we go!

Catherine and Christopher xx