Ndorwa Prison Boss Calls for Joint Effort to Curb Youth Drug Abuse and Crime

 The Officer in Charge of Ndorwa Government Prison in Kabale, SSP Julius Kisembo, has said drug and alcohol abuse is contributing significantly to the increasing number of young people serving prison sentences.

‎Kisembo said about 80 percent of young people in government prisons are incarcerated in connection with drug and alcohol abuse.

‎He made the remarks while leading a team of prison officers at Christ the King Kabale for a thanksgiving Mass.

‎Kisembo called on parents and the church to work together in guiding young people, saying children need proper parental guidance and discipline to help them make responsible choices and avoid behaviour that could lead them into conflict with the law.

‎He said parents should not leave the responsibility of raising and disciplining children entirely to teachers.

‎“Parents should not leave children to teachers alone. They also have a responsibility to guide and discipline their children,” Kisembo said.

‎He welcomed the ongoing efforts to regulate alcohol consumption in the country, saying effective regulation could contribute to reducing alcohol-related crime.

‎Kisembo also called for greater use of reconciliation in resolving community disputes, particularly conflicts that arise from minor disagreements.

‎He said some disputes that end up in court could instead be resolved at community level through dialogue and reconciliation.

‎“Some people fight over small things that should end at the community level and not go beyond the court. Reconciliation should be the key,” he said.

‎The prison officer also commended the church for its role in promoting positive values in society, urging religious leaders to continue preaching a life-changing gospel that encourages people to abandon harmful behaviour.

‎He thanked the church for its continued partnership with the prison service and encouraged it to strengthen its efforts in guiding young people and other members of the community.

‎The thanksgiving Mass ended with prison officers donating 50 plastic chairs and other items to the church as part of their contribution to the community.

‎Meanwhile, Rev. Fr. Fabias Ariganyira, a priest serving in Manchester, England, who was visiting Uganda for a holiday and led the Mass, commended the Uganda Prisons Service for its contribution to the country.

‎Fr. Ariganyira said the prison officers had demonstrated the importance of government institutions reaching out to communities and becoming part of their lives.

‎He said the church would continue playing its role through preaching and evangelisation, with the aim of encouraging people to abandon bad behaviour and embrace positive and responsible lives.

‎“We shall do our part to preach and help people change from bad behaviour to good behaviour so that we can reduce crime,” he said.

‎Kisembo Promoted to Senior Superintendent

‎The thanksgiving comes shortly after Kisembo was promoted from Superintendent of Prisons (SP) to Senior Superintendent of Prisons (SSP).

‎He was among 258 senior officers promoted by the Uganda Prisons Service in a promotion exercise announced on June 24, 2026.

‎His promotion adds to his responsibilities as he continues to serve at Ndorwa Government Prison and engage with communities on issues related to crime prevention, rehabilitation and responsible living.