Humanist

He is a prisons officer.

He is among those men in uniform not fully appreciated by their country, in comparison, me thinks.

Particularly so in the context of the national budgetary allocations to the Uganda Prison Services (UPS).

The low pay and welfare provision for UPS personnel is easily deduced from the quality of their government provided housing, for example.  

His humanity, shines through always, nevertheless.

He is the true son of my mother’s sister.

You see, my mother’s sister, my toto (mum) in Ateso and aunt in English, is one of the most kind hearted persons I know.

And guess what, she too was a prisons officer, now retired.

Toto Phoebe during the 80th birthday anniversary celebrations of her older sister, my toto Betty Ann Apio Owaraga.

Toto Phoebe began to serve in UPS, if my knowledge serves me right, in the times of when:

 “Fabian Okware, the first Black Commissioner of Prisons, was instrumental in Africanizing the prison system and emphasizing rehabilitation over punishment, laying the groundwork for a more humane approach from 1964 to 1971 (source UPS website).”

She lived with us for a while and baby sat me in the early 1970s.

Long story short and back to the point.

My cousin brother, George Buyondo (in profiled photo where I caught up with him at Court in Kumi), is so named partly after my late papa.

Buyondo is his clan-name and George is my late papa’s ‘Christian name’ and the reason Buyondo is named so.

In my adult life, including post my papa’s death, I do not recall ever reaching out to Buyondo and he did not help me.

If I call and he does not answer, he will call back.

And when he does not answer he has a very good reason why, like he is in Court.

Yes, one of his roles is to bring those incarcerated under his charge to Court for their day in Court.

Sadly, with our country’s broken justice, law and order sector, many incarcerated do not always get to truly have their day in Court.

“Prisoners appeal their long prison sentences after 14 days of conviction. I sign and submit their appeals to Court and they even get appeal numbers. But I have released very many of them, without them ever going to Court for hearing of their appeal. It is very painful. I get production warrants to take to Court people that I have already released. They are calling him to Court when he has already finished serving the sentence of imprisonment.” SSP Naimuli, Administrator Kigo Prison.

But, back to the point, about Buyondo.

All the times I have been in distress, under attack my another male relative, the one with deficient manhood, the greedy barbarian with the propensity for other people’s property, Buyondo has contributed to centering me.

I do believe Buyondo is the pillar for his toto and her sisters.

He is a pillar to my toto too, the older sister of his toto.

Mrs. Betty Ann Apio Owaraga on her 80th birthday celebration (October 2025).

He is a pillar to my toto’s older sister too, the eldest sister of his toto.

Toto Mary @ 84 years, during the 80th birthday celebrations of her sister, my toto Betty Ann Apio Owaraga.

He is the pillar of the three surviving sisters of my mother’s line.

Luckily, Buyondo now works at a post near the homes of my toto and her sisters.

He gives me peace of mind in that way.

For I know he will be the first to respond, in times of need and emergency for each of our totos.

He is the best of humanity not only towards us his blood, but also those incarcerated under his charge.