By KT Reporter
James Turyatunga, a former Custody Health Officer with the Uganda Prisons Service, has spent the last five years seeking justice and compensation after he was declared a deserter in 2021. During the COVID-19 lockdown, Turyatunga—then stationed in Luzira—was transferred to Moroto Prison, where he played a critical role in treating 150 inmates infected with the virus.
When he returned to Kampala, he was posted to Kitalya Prison, where he says his troubles began in 2021. Speaking to URN, Turyatunga said problems emerged when some commanders allegedly asked him and other health staff to sign for amounts of money they had not received for their work at the COVID-19 treatment center.
“I refused to sign for money I hadn’t received, questioning the logic behind it. Shortly after, I received a transfer to Koboko as a custodial health worker, with instructions to report immediately. However, when I requested transportation, it was denied, and instead, I was chased out of Kitalya prison barracks,” Turyatunga recounted.
Soon after, he was declared a deserter for failing to report to his new duty station. He claims that the aide to the then–Deputy Commissioner General of Prisons, later contacted him and demanded a bribe of 300,000 Shillings in exchange for helping him process his pending deployment and study leave.
“I dodged his requests and recorded our conversations as evidence. Having committed to a corruption-free stance, I knew I had to stand firm. But things took a dark turn. I started receiving life-threatening calls. Seeking justice, I turned to the State House Anti-Corruption Unit, the Inspector General of Government, and the Prisons Commissioner General’s office. But my pleas fell on deaf ears, and instead, I was declared wanted, with orders to arrest me on sight at any Prison office,” he said.
Prisons spokesperson Frank Baine dismissed all the allegations, insisting that Turyatunga deserted and that claims of corruption and persecution were baseless. Last month, Turyatunga was arrested and charged with desertion before the Nakawa Magistrates Court under Section 46 (1) & (3) of the Prisons Act.
He spent several weeks in Luzira before being granted bail on December 9, 2025. Turyatunga says he has since written to the Inspector General of Police requesting permission to hold a peaceful protest outside the Prisons headquarters to demand compensation for losing his job, but the police have not responded.
Turyatunga says the threats he continues to receive stem from his efforts to expose corruption within the service. Despite his qualifications as a clinical officer from Mulago Medical School, he says the “deserter” tag has damaged his reputation and cost him job opportunities.
He added that losing his job has had a devastating impact on his family. His two children in primary school have dropped out, and his sister can no longer continue secondary school due to lack of fees. He believes the struggle for justice in Uganda is nearly impossible without financial resources or influence.
“Without money, you can’t get justice, especially when fighting corruption cases involving powerful figures in government,” he said. “This ordeal has been a harsh lesson. It’s only my strong conviction that keeps me going. I’ve visited numerous offices to no avail. Accessing justice through the courts is also daunting due to the high cost of hiring lawyers, which is why many people give up, overwhelmed by the stress and financial burden of pursuing a case.”
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