Kitalya the place of barter trade

Kitalya

By Drone Writer

KITALYA MINI-MAX PRISON ORDEAL-THE PLACE OF BARTER TRADE

Many noisy criminals as well as victims of corruption in Uganda and I, were packed in a small car known as Kiiza Besigye’s mobile cell; drove in a terrible speed as if we were ICU patients being transferred to a referral hospital.

Shortly before the Kiiza Besigye’s mobile cell (pick-up truck turned into a cell), departed from Buganda Road Court premises; a police constable threatened to tear gas the mobile cell because the fat-bellied prisoners had failed to fit in the cell. There were 22 prisoners in that small box referred to as a car. Later, the driver managed to lock up the door of the cars and started moving.  Aided by a loud siren; the driver was able to maneuver through the late evening jam in Kampala and its neighborhood routes.

We arrived at Kitalya Mini-Max Prison at around 7:20pm. Upon arriving; it is when I discovered that I was remanded basing on Charge and caution (charge sheet); those who are conversant with law will know what that means.

Once again it dwelt on me that the monetary system stopped at the gates.  Upon entering the gates; every prisoner who had money was warned and ordered to clean their pockets of all the monies they carried.  A stan warning was announced that whoever would be found with money after a second search would not claim it. All the money declared to prisoner warders was registered in the owners’ names and was later put on their welfare accounts. This means that prisoners access the money in a barter trade; say if you have sh5,000 you will get a kilo of sugar at sh4,000 and another item of sh1,000.

Something strange occurred as they searched the prisoners; someone was found with a kaveera of red pepper and was forced to devour it.  As he was devouring it; he mentioned his partners in crime who were also forced to help him devour the red pepper. However, before the prisoners finished devouring the red pepper; a good mannered prisoner warder came along and rebuked the mischievous officer who had made prisoners eat raw red pepper.

Thereafter we were led to Ward 5 & 6 (quarantine wards), these are on the second floor of unit 3. Upon arriving there we were treated as if were thrown into a den of lions. The so-called police and RPs of the wards were hostile.  These are referred to as quarantine wards, but we were ordered to throw out whatever we had; be facemasks; hankies etc

It was at that time that one of the RPs admired my golden marriage ring and ordered me to hand it over to him. I actually explained to him but he was adamant; I then quietly told God that the ring was a sign of a marriage covenant and in the following morning God secured it with the help of another ward leader. However, another RP was determined to steal it. He took it from me and claimed it got lost. I had to engage and seek the help of a Prison Officer (known as PO in prison services ranks), who instantly demoted the RP and secured my marriage ring; I am now wearing it as I write this.

Hell broke at the time of sleeping. Fortunately, the Katikilo (top leader of the ward) had identified a colleague and I (two journalists among the criminals); he told us to join the high command on specious mattress. I believe our appearance and how we expressed our selves plus God’s favour saved us. The rest of prisoners slept like sardines in what is referred to as ‘kigari.” Prisoners sleep on the edge, nobody can turn until morning and once it is 9:00pm all prisoners are required to keep quiet and sleep. You are not supposed to sit. There is to much heat in the ward; prisoners are coughing; sneezing and the discomfort is so ugly. The number was 269 in the ward that night. That is Kitalya for you.