Uganda Police Force has launched a major health intervention aimed at protecting detainees from infectious diseases while in custody.
Under the new program, all suspects will be medically screened as they are booked into police cells to curb the spread of HIV, tuberculosis (TB) and malaria. The initiative, known as the Breaking the Barriers Initiative, seeks to safeguard both detainees and police officers from preventable infections.
Dr. Bernard Ndiwalana, Head of Clinical Services at the Uganda Police Force, said the screening provides critical information on a suspect’s health status before detention.
“The data we collect helps us identify suspects living with HIV and ensure they continue receiving treatment even while in detention,” Ndiwalana explained.
Ndiwalana added that suspects diagnosed with malaria are immediately placed on treatment to prevent complications such as severe anaemia or death. Those who test positive for TB are isolated in designated rooms to allow timely treatment and reduce the risk of transmission.
Ndiwalana acknowledged that congestion in many police cells presents challenges to effective isolation but said plans are underway to create improvised isolation spaces at police stations nationwide.
“These isolation areas will significantly reduce the spread of contagious diseases among detainees,” he noted.
The police have also introduced special medical registers at police stations to record suspects’ health data. This information is shared across institutions within the criminal justice system, improving continuity of care and access to health services.
Barbara Masinde, Chief State Attorney and project coordinator, said the initiative was launched in 2018 after a baseline survey revealed widespread violations of detainees’ right to health.
“The findings showed a clear need to improve medical screening at detention facilities to guarantee equitable access to healthcare for both suspects and inmates,” Masinde said.
Masinde noted that the project has already delivered tangible results, with 91 percent of inmates now accessing quality healthcare services.
Masinde further explained that Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), signed by the Inspector General of Police, authorize compulsory screening for TB and other infectious diseases.
“These SOPs help break the chain of new infections by enabling early detection and isolation before suspects are held together or taken through prosecution,” she said.
Masinde warned that diseases such as TB spread rapidly in overcrowded, poorly ventilated cells, making compulsory screening a critical public health measure.
To strengthen the initiative, the police are currently training first response officers, those who initially receive suspects after arrest to identify symptoms early and facilitate prompt screening, further improving health outcomes within the criminal justice system.
