The officer in charge of Moroto government prisons, Mr Norman Aruho, has been suspended together with his deputy Joseph Angwandia following the escape of 224 inmates with 14 guns from the facility last month.
He has been replaced with Mr. Latif Mayamba, the officer in charge of Soroti prisons.
Mr Frank Baine the prisons spokesperson said that the suspension, which is to enable comprehensive investigations into the matter, was on the orders of the commissioner general, Mr Johnson Byabashaija.
“He is serving suspension until investigations are completed. We have sent a senior officer there who will ensure security,” he added.
On September 16, this year the inmates escaped with 14 guns, 15 magazines and 480 rounds of ammunition after overpowering prisons staff. One UPDF soldier was killed in a shootout with the inmates as security operatives tried to re-arrest the escapees. At the time of the prison break, there were a total of 687 inmates of whom 236 were convicts whereas 451 were on remand.
Sam Esdotu, the Karamoja Regional Prisons commander, says 20 inmates were re-arrested and remanded at the same prison. He says efforts are still ongoing to find the remaining escapees.