2016-02-28
THE STORY ABOUT FRANCISCAN PRISON MINISTRY IN UGANDA
Prison Ministry was initiated by the Franciscan Missionary Sisters for Africa and Secular Franciscan Order (FMSA and SFO/ YOUFRA) to holistically reach out to inmates in and out of Kampala Prisons. To sensitize the community to live positive life, promote social rehabilitation and reintegration of inmates into better citizens as well as social positive change in the community. It operates under the Roman Catholic Prison Chaplaincy of Kampala Archdiocese.
Since 1980’s the group of Christians formed by Franciscan Missionary Sisters for Africa, have been reaching out to Prisoners in Luzira and Kigo in Kampala, Kirinya in Jinja, Morikatipe in Tororo, Mayuge in Iganga, and Mbarara in Mbarara All is done in Love and Simplicity of heart, to care for and restore Hope to the hopeless and the forgotten children of God through spiritual, educational and humanitarian support to enable them reconcile with God, society and live a responsible manner and life. Inaspired by Gospel values Francis’ Charisma. (Mt. 25:31-36, Lk 4:18-19, Heb 13:3 and Gn. 1:26-28).
The ministry was first led by the late Sr. Oline Dugan, who was by then heading or the administrator of Nsambya Hospital.
By then prisons was headed by Mr. Etima and there was restricted rules in prisons. Any slight mistake would lead to punishment or expulsion of the person visiting or inmate being taken to punishment cell for months. There was mistreatment of prisoners, poor teaching, poor clothing, poor legal representation and poor health. Fellow inmates and staff would torture the prisoners to death. So the Franciscan Missionary Sisters felt the call to reach out to the suffering and rejected people in prison.
They started by helping them with some material requirements like clothing, soap, drugs, contacting relatives and food for those who were sick and need some special attention. Then later in different prison we started holding prayer meetings and counseling. In 1991 prayer meetings were almost the key issues being carried out in all prison sections.
Other programs like adult education, life in the spirit seminars, behaviour change workshops, training of health workers, training of prisoners of their rights and freedom and the staffs. All these and others like craft making, tailoring, carpentry, football clubs and other games were aimed at rehabilitating and reforming the status of prisoners and prison as a whole.
As time went on with the introduced programme in prisons. A lot of activities and different people got involve in struggle to have the place changed to a better place for people to stay and live in.
We have managed to do what we have done through local initiatives. We are now looking for people who can help us support these prisoners in need.
Key people in the struggle to rehabilitate and make prison a better place includes Fr. Auguston, Fr. Mbaleeba who was then the prison chaplain, Fr. John, Fr. Irumba, Fr. Felix, Fr. Enrico, Fr. Rudulf, Fr. Walalara, Fr. Mugerwa Savior, Fr. William, Fr. Desmus Turinawe (ofm), Fr. Francis Furtado (ofm. Cap), Bro. Nsamba Steven, Sr. Olive, Mary Rayn, Sr. Francis, Sr. Antoinette, Sr. Miriam Duggan, Sr. Margaret Awor, Seculars –Bro. Augustine Ssekibuule,Vicent Kizza, Sr. Mugaga, Grace Kimerirwe, Tom Balimbya, Eddy Mary Mpagi, Andew Ssekatte, Bernard Onyango, Kugonza Nicholas, Ssegujja Joseph Maria Kemigisha, Fred BushoboziPaul Muggula Alice Nsababera. Youth Alive club and other NGO’s and churches have contributed a lot in the struggle.
VISION
A just world where all humanity is served with respect and dignity. All life is precious in God’s eyes.
MISSION
Inspired by Gospel Values and Francis’ Charism, Secular Franciscan Prison Ministry will holistically reach out to inmates in and out Kampala City, endeavor to rehabilitate and empower them thus will enable them Reconcile with God and Society and live in a Responsible Manner.
CORE VALUES
Empower to positive change.
Respect for all creation.
Respect for Human Rights and Dignity.
Serve with Love and Humility.
GUILDING SCRIPTURES
Mt.25:31-36, Lk.4:18-19
Gn. 1:26-28, Heb.13-3
PATRON SAINT
St Francis of Assisi
GOAL
Alleviate Social Challenges, enabling Inmates and Ex-Prisoners to access a better life and smooth reintegration into the society.
OBJECTIVE
To empower inmates with life skills
Through workshops and seminars to educate and impart relevant survival skills and income generating programs.
To enhance psycho-social support and rehabilitation activities
Prayer Meetings and Life in the Spirit seminars
Behavior Change, Positive Thinking and Leadership Skills
Counseling sessions, Counseling seminars, skills and service.
Provide Religious handouts e.g. Bibles, Spiritual reading materials, musical instruments to enhance Spiritual growth, renewal, reconciliation and reform.
To supplement inmates welfare
Provide Livelihood items ( soap, razor blades)
Clothes , shoes to those going to Court
To facilitate the smooth running of the Ministry’ activities.
Advocacy and Paralegal
Resources’ mobilization and Meetings
Writing proposals, implement , reports and follow up
Networking with other organizations
Environmental Advocacy (tree nurseries)
To ensure that fundamental rights of children are respected
Offering child counseling services
Positive and Responsible parenting workshops and NFP programs
Child protection policy
Advocacy to Human Rights
To promote crime prevention and security
To sensitize the community about crime and security
To form conflict resolving peer teams in order to promote peace in the community (youth,couples,parents,women and men)
Education
The Franciscans contributed a lot in the starting and supporting education in prison which has now reached university level.
A SUMMARY OF WHAT WE DO IN PRISONS
Hold prayer meetings
Do counseling
Deliver letters for inmate relatives
Trainings, e.g (Training counselors)
Workshops e.g life in the spirit seminar
Provide the sick with food supplements, soap, clothes.
Transport etc books for education
Rosaries
Materials for making rosaries, and others like mats etc
Helping relatives and children of the inmates
Looking for donors to support the children of condemned prisoners
Visiting all prisoners without segregation and now we are trying to get lawyers without boundaries to help poor prisoners with their cases.
We create jobs for prisoners who have served and come out of prisons with skills.
OUR CHALLENGES THAT APPEAL FOR ASSISTANCE
No chapel for prisoners who want to worship
Poor nutrition for prisoners who are victims of HIV, the elderly and children of the prisoners
Clothing
Materials for making crafts that can generate income to support prisoners and their families.
Legal aid to attend to cases of prisoners who need bail, representation and advice.
Education for children of inmates
Transport to facilitate volunteers in this ministry
Overwhelming demand from the inmates for assistance
Facilitation for major cases of treatment and medical operations
Rehabilitation and Integration of ex-prisoners in the community