News 2020

Corona in Zambia


In the time of the COVID-19, we all need to stand together to support the most vulnerable. Corona is a global problem, and requires global solidarity and numerous interventions. Institutions such as prisons are hotbeds for infection, and we need to always remember that prison health is public health. It is key and urgent that we find solutions here.


Ubumi met with our good partners in the Prisons Health Advisory Committee yesterday and we jointly recommend the below actions for high level consideration:


1. Empty Mpima Remand Prison for isolation facility
2. Release of inmates with health challenges such as; HIV/AIDS, Diabetes, Hyper/hypotension, Cardiovascular diseases, TB, cancer and the elderly (above 65years)
3. Release of inmates who have served at least 75% of the sentences, those convicted of petty offences e.g. shoplifting, possession of psychotropic substances in small quantities
4. No admittance of prohibited immigrants in correctional facilities
5. For bailable offenses, consider granting unconditional bails to remandees
6. The ZCS Health Directorate to have ready transport on stand-by for emergencies


Further, the NGO's, including Ubumi, pledged to the best of their capability to correctional facilities with hygiene materials, medication and more. Please support our work!




January 2020

Huge reduction in number of deaths


Fresh data from Maximum Security Correctional Facility in Kabwe: We have seen the biggest reduction in number of deaths in all the years we have worked in this facility.
In fact, we can pride ourselves at a 90% reduction in annual deaths compared to before we started the health project there (from 2012-2019). It is a further reduction from last year's impressive results. This is amazing, amazing news!


Thanks to Zambia Correctional Service and other partners for excellent collaboration and support.
A particular vote of thanks goes to the hardworking amazing Ubumi inmate volunteers, who work many hours every day to cook, clean and care for patients, as well as produce food for them in the vegetable garden. We are deeply humbled to have them as part of our organisation.

Lena Kresojevic (Ubumi) and Jacob (PFF) at the BBQ


With the help of supporters, we threw the volunteers, health staff and staff a nice party to celebrate.


They received grilled meat, potato salad, rice and cake, and a new T-shirt, as well as bibles donated from the Gads Foundation.


We are not allowed to show pictures of the inmates, but the pictures show Ubumi and Prisoner Future Foundation staff, who equally work incredibly hard to make this amazing impact.


216 Bibles donated by GAD's Foundation
Anne Egelund and Obed Kunda (Ubumi) and the Officer in Charge hand out T-shirts to the volunteers