Authorities at Gulu remand home say that they are fearful of a possible fire outbreak should the current power blackouts continue, which is forcing the institute to rely on lamps.

The remand home has been in the dark for the last six month after its electricity supply was cut off due to a pending electricity bill of shs 900,000. 

According to the Social Affairs Officer at Gulu remand home, Ms Evelyn Atto: “at the moment, the remand home is using lamps which pose a risk to the children. They can do anything to themselves since there is even no security guard to guard them in the night.” 

She added that the centre also lacks other basic amenities such as medical care, since there is no resident nurse or sick bay on the premises, which also poses a threat to the livelihood of the children. 

The centre was built to take a capacity of only 20 children but the number has risen to over 30.  The centre also lacks bedding facilities such as mattresses so inmates have to sleep on the mats made out of papyrus laid out on the floor. 

During a visit to the centre over the weekend, UNICEF’s Country Director Mr Shorqd Soqra called for a speedy process through justice system so that children are quickly reintegrated into their societies. 

“Children belong to homes not in remand homes. The judiciary should speed up with the process,” he said. 

He added that while at the remand homes, children should be taught vocational skills like welding, netting and farming so that when they get back to their homes they can become fruitful to their communities.

UNICEF promised to donate solar panels to run the centre especially during the night when light is much needed.

The majority of the children at the remand home are accused of aggravated defilement.