The government finally confirmed the prevalence of homosexuality in prisons but was non-committal on whether it would embark on or even support HIV/Aids preventive measures such as distributing condoms in the correction facilities.

Reports of prisoners practicing homosexuality in Rwandan prisons have been circulating for a while but the government remained tight-lipped and guarded on the issue.

The fact that it is even discussing the issue could intimate the gravity of the issue.

The efforts of international NGOs and other institutions involved in controlling the spread of HIV/Aids to push for condom distribution in prisons were hampered by prison authorities not being open about the issue.

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“We acknowledge that there are some prisoners practising homosexuality,” the Rwanda Correctional Services (RCS) Commissioner-General, Gen Paul Rwarakabije, admitted in an interview with Rwanda Today. “There hasn’t been any official study to give the statistics but it’s happening.

“It hasn’t yet become an epidemic; we are working with the Ministry of Health to see how the issue and its likely risks can be brought under control.”

Asked about the measures the government was taking to protect the affected prisoners from the likely risk of contracting HIV/Aids, Gen Paul Rwarakabije said nothing much had been done, adding that RCS was depending on the Health ministry for health-related interventions.

“We are working closely with the Ministry of Health through the district hospitals,” he said. “We haven’t worked with any other agency but we are open to working with them on the issue.”

When Rwanda Today sought to find out from Nathan Mugume, the head of Rwanda Heath Communication Centre (RHCC), if there were any intervention plans regarding the issue, the official was generally guarded about the issue, saying they will continue with the “comprehensive health package” they provide to the prisons.

“We shall continue providing health services to the prisons as we have always done,” Mr Mugume said. “We have been implementing HIV/Aids preventive programmes through education and sensitisations.

Same package

“We run health units in the prisons, where we give all the services offered in the wider community. We give them the same package.”

Asked if there were specific plans to roll out preventive services such as distribution of condoms in the prisons, since it was one of the services people in the wider community enjoy, he was vague and evasive.

“Putting aside sexual orientation, everyone is entitled to health services, so we shall continue doing what we are doing,” he said.

When we pried further, pointing him to the fact that distribution of condoms was one of the services offered to people who are susceptible to contracting HIV/Aids, Mr Mugume mentioned that condom distribution in prisons is a policy issue that can be addressed by prison authorities and its line ministry.

“That is a policy issue,” Mr Mugume said. “Because it involves prisons, we have to follow rules; it’s different from how we make interventions outside.
“Ask the prison authorities.”

Reports say there is a large number of HIV-positive inmates because, when some of them go outside to work, they get to mingle with the community before they complete their sentences, which increases the risk of spreading the disease.

Homosexuality has been reported in prisons in the past, including cases at Nyamirambo and Kimironko prisons and others around the country, especially involving youths.

A survey revealed that prisoners share razors, scissors and syringes in addition to there being no condoms when they have often managed to engage in sexual activities, though it is not allowed. The study was conducted in five major prisons.