“In a remarkable development, two inmates from Amolatar Government Prison were registered and sat their primary leaving examinations (PLE) at Alelangao Primary School under the supervision of prison warders. Mr. Sam Ogweng, District Inspector of Schools, described the participation of the inmates as a powerful reminder that education remains a source of hope, even for people behind bars,” Odongo Gerald reported for Hot FM.

Odongo is among beneficiaries of the CPAR Uganda Photography Masterclass under our Training of Media Change Agents Component under the Dr. Paul Hargrave Memorial Centre Human Development Project, we jointly implemented with Canadian Physicians for Aid and Relief.

We celebrate when CPAR Uganda trained change agents amplify grassroots voices and bring the fore realities of the indigent, often forgotten in public debate.

Reading Odongo’s report motivated us to take interest in knowing legal provisions for the continuing education of inmates.

It pleased us to learn that under Section 3 of the Prisons Act, the Uganda Prisons service is mandated and obliged to execute “social rehabilitation and reformation of prisoners through specific training and educational programs.”

Kudos to Amolatar Government Prison for its remarkable achievement of nurturing and reforming two inmates by accessing to them the necessary study sessions and logistics to register and sit their PLE examinations at Alelangao Primary School.

Media reports indicate that inmates incarcerated in other prisons countrywide sat for the PLE examinations. Monitor, case in point, reported 53 inmates (6 females and 46 males) from Upper Prison School Luzira sat their PLE examinations.

We agree with Mr. Ogweng, ”education remains a source of hope, even for people behind bars.”

We wish all the over 900,000 candidates who are reported to have sat their PLE examinations countrywide success in transforming their lives for the better. Including, for those incarcerated, regaining their freedom.