A Ugandan prison inmate succumbed to gunshot injuries days after an unsuccessful attempt to break free from Jinja Court cells last week.
Frank Baine, spokesperson for the prisons, revealed that two detainees attempted an escape while returning to their cells following a court session in Jinja City last week.
The deceased inmate, 27-year-old Abel Muwanika, also known as Abusale, along with Ashiraf Senora, 25, known as Vampire, faced charges of aggravated robbery when they eluded prison warders and attempted an escape.
In an effort to thwart the escape, prison wardens fired shots at the fleeing detainees.
Baine explained:
“The inmates were running openly in handcuffs. The officer in the central guard fired warning bullets to stop them in vain; and in an attempt to disable them, Senora was shot in the leg while Muwanika sustained a gunshot wound to the mouth,’’ Mr Baine said.
He also warned inmates against “unnecessary misconduct”, including common practices of attempting to escape from lawful custody.
The Spokesperson revealed that Muwanika, suffering severe mouth injuries, was rushed to Jinja Referral Hospital but ultimately succumbed to his wounds.
Senora is currently admitted to the prison sick bay and will face an additional charge of attempted escape, according to Baine.
Meanwhile, the attempted escape and the ensuing fatality have raised concerns regarding the security measures within the prison system in Uganda.