Patongo Prison

On the edge of Patongo town is the prison which serves the district. Patongo prison is unusual in Uganda in that it is not near the court house. The main court is in Pader 35km away and transport from the prison to the court is a problem.

For western eyes the building below doesn't look much like a prison. To the right of the prison are the staff quarters, some are hut with grass roof, some buildings with a iron roof.

The water point in the foreground is used by both the community and the prison. The land behind the prison, about 100 hectares, is cultivated by the prisoners.

I am told that the roofless section was a consequence of a bomb during the rebel insurgency. A close look at the white plaster shows many bullet holes. The entrance is to the right.

The grey door is the entrance, a single steel door. The prison holds about 200 prisoners, mostly men but with some women, some of whom bring young children.

This is a Sunday afternoon and we are waiting outside before joining the prisoners for a Christian meeting of singing, testimony and preaching. God has moved wonderfully in the past year: many of the prisoners have become committed Christians during their time inside and although there is a continual turnover of inmates, there is a lively Christian community which includes many of the staff.

The prisoners wear yellow, white for section leaders. The man in black is the assistant pastor in the church I attend in Patongo the pastor is in brown trousers on the right of the picture.

The stringed instruments are odongus - they make a great sound, the players are very good musicians playing without music and adapting to instruments of 8,9,10,11 and 12 strings.

We preach the good news of Jesus to these people and every Sunday people respond, perhaps 10 sometimes 20.

Some of the prisoners have been inside for many months without their case being heard but the impact of the gospel has contributed to making the prison calm, peaceful and not at all threatening.