DOC/OS(xXXIII)/324c/II Control mechanisms UPS as an internal control mechanism, the Commissioner for inspections. The regional Commanders of the UPS report to him. As per the Constitution, the Uganda National Human Rights Commission (UHRC) is entitled related facilities with a view to assessing and to visit "jails, prisons, and places of detention or inspecting conditions of the inmates and make recommendations;" (art. 52 (1) (b)). The UHRC theoretically inspects prisons once a year, without prior notice; it points out problems and weaknesses and gets support from the authorities. The UHRC also provides civic education, monitor government's compliance with international treaties and obligations. In 1996, the UHRC created a prison committee to visit and monitor prisons. This committee was transferred to UPS (Complaints and investigation service under inspection department). UHRC has tribunals hearing cases (These tribunals bring people to answer charges and compensation orders in favour of the victims can be decided). Commissioners of UHRC hear cases. There were 20 cases of compensation so far (up to 25 million shillings). UHRC is preparing a training manual for prisons. UHRC wished that each institution/service gets a HR committee. They pushed for that and prison, police, UPDF now have such committees. They are now working closely with them. Several NGOs work in prisons, whether nationals (FHRI, Uganda Prisoners Aid Society) as well as the ICRC which has however scaled down its activities outside Kampala due to security problems. international (ICRC). FHRI has visited more than half of all the prisons, governmental and local of the country and was devising a programme to visit police stations as well. Prisons in brief Type of prisons The delegation observed different types of prisons: receiving centres (Mbale) for unconvicted prisoners or those with a sentence not exceeding six months; an open prison for low security offenders and short termprisoners up to four years(Murchison Bay); a maximum security prison (Luzira Upper prison), receiving capital offenders (murder, robbery, aggravated robbery, manslaughter, rape, defilement, treason, terrorism) and long term prisoners (over five years). There are also two women prisons in Luzira (Kampala) and Mbale, and four prison farms (Kigo, Mutukula, Isimba, Tororo). The hospital located at Murchison prison in Kampala serves as a national referral hospital for all prisoners from local and governmental prisons as well as police stations. Some prisons are equipped with industries and workshops (Luzzira Upper, Murchison Bay, Mbale). Most prisons are old and date back to the 1920's. Number of prisons 49 prisons under central administration; 145 prisons under local administration; a total of 194 prisons. To these must be added numerous lock-ups under local authorities. Capacity For the 49 prisons under central administration, as at April 2002: 8530 places. Number of prisoners For the 49 prisons under central administration, as at April 2002: 16,016 prisoners. For local government prisons and other lock-ups, the Special Rapporteur was not provided with figures although she requested them. Prison population — Features The imprisonment rate in Uganda is currently of approximately 101 per 100 000 inhabitant, with a total prison population c. 16 016 (April 2002). The average age of offenders is 26 years old. During special international events, the prison population increases with numbers of people arrested for "idleness and disorder", to clean the city. 11