East African Gazette
This year (2024), marks about 41 years since Dr. Johnson Byabashaija joined the Uganda Prisons Services (UPS).
During a period of 1980-1986 in Uganda, Byabashaija, like many other young individuals, chose to join the armed forces to defend their country from despotic rule.
This was a time when the country was experiencing conflict between Gen. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni’s National Resistance Army (NRA) and the government forces led by the late President Milton Obote.
Despite his efforts to find employment after completing his studies, Byabashaija was unsuccessful given the conditions at the time.
Given the prevailing insecurity in the country, he made the decision to join the armed forces in 1982.
However, unlike those who rebelled against the despotic government, Byabashaija took a different path.
He joined the Prisons Service as a cadet after completing the Cadet Assistant Superintendent of Prisons Course at the Prisons Training School.
Since then, he has steadily climbed the ranks and currently holds the position of Commissioner General of Prisons Services.
His journey began at Kigo Prison, where he supervised the prison’s hatchery for approximately 15 years before eventually becoming the Officer-in-Charge of Kigo Prison.
In 1999, he was promoted to Assistant Commissioner of Prisons and later transferred to Prisons Headquarters as Assistant Commissioner in charge of farms inspectorat in 2000.
He was later promoted to a Senior Assistant Commissioner for two years and then promoted to Deputy Commissioner General for One and half years.
The President saw him fit to lead the institution and opted to appoint him the Commissioner General of Prisons replacing Joseph Etima who retired in 2005.
20 years a prison’s chief
Since 2005, Byabashaija has been serving as the Prisons Chief with the president renewing his contract.
President Museveni of Uganda and the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, has again reappointed Byabashaija as Commissioner General of Prisons this week for the next two years.
“In exercise of the powers vested in the President under Article 216 of the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda and in accordance with the advice of the Prisons Authority under sections 10 (1)(b) and 18 0f the Prison Act 2006; I Yoweri Kaguta Museveni do hereby renew the appointment of Dr. Johnson O. R. Byabashaija as Commissioner General of Prisons for a period of 24 months on local contract terms with effect from May 2, 2024,” reads the Presidential appointment addressed to the Prison Authority and Minister of Internal Affairs
The US Department of Treasury in December 2023 sanctioned Byabashaija over allegations of torture in the country’s correctional facilities.
Despite the sanctions by the United States, Byabashaija’s reappointment reaffirms President Museveni’s confidence in him.
The sanction came just days after the US imposed visa restrictions on several Ugandan government officials believed to be behind the alleged human rights violations and repression of marginalized groups in the country.
Byabashaija received the Justice Law and Order Sector (JLOS) Distinguished Service Award in 2017, despite facing numerous accusations.
This recognition was given during the 22nd Joint Government of Uganda and Development Partners JLOS Annual Review conference.
He was commended for his efforts in turning prisons into self-sustaining institutions through prison farms, as well as for his role in establishing new facilities such as the Kitalya modern prisons throughout Uganda.
Additionally, he has initiated projects to enhance housing conditions for prison warders nationwide.
Wanted a gun for personal security
The veterinary specialist had a different reason for joining the security forces compared to others who aimed to liberate the country from dictatorship.
His main goal was to acquire a gun for personal security during a challenging time in Uganda.
In an interview with a local publication, Byabashaija explained that he felt the need for personal protection in a period of uncertainty.
To him, joining the security forces seemed like the only legal way to obtain a firearm, but he never anticipated that his new line of work would evolve into a deep passion for him.
“Uganda was in a dark period of its history. There was no hope for short term improvement. I searched for a job where I was allowed to carry a gun to protect myself,” he Byabashaija noted.
He observed the lack of discipline within the government army then, highlighting the brutal soldiers in uniform who were carrying out genocidal purges against Ugandans in Luweero, specifically targeting supporters of NRA.
He was motivated by this sole reason to submit his application and was accepted as a cadet in the Uganda Prisons Services.
According to him, being a part of UPS allowed him to pursue his passion for veterinary medicine at the prison farm in Kigo.
Although he initially joined the institution with a different objective, he emphasizes that his rise to the position of Commissioner General of Prisons has been a fascinating and challenging experience.
He openly admits that his profession has evolved into his true calling.
Education/background
Johnson Omuhunde Rwashote Byabashaija was born in Kajumiro village Nyakishenyi sub-county, Rubabo county, Rukungiri District to the late Gregory Rwanshote (father) and Late Cecilia Rwanshote(mother).
He is the first born of seven children in a family of three boys and four girls.
He started his education from Nyakishenyi Primary School, Kamwezi Primary School and Mukyayi Primary School for his primary education before joining Mutorere Secondary School in Kisoro district for O-level education and this was where he met the former Inspector General of Police Gen Kale Kayihura.
He later joined Makerere College School for his A-Level education where he did Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Subsidiary Mathematics.
He was later admitted to Makerere University Veterinary School for a four year course in Veterinary medicine.
In 1986, he went for a Post-Graduate Master of Science at the University of Glasgow, United Kingdom.
Before joining Uganda Prisons, after university, Byabashaija taught Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics at Lakeside Secondary School in Luzira.
He got married in 1988, to Byabashaija Janipher with whom they have four children.
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