Jane Frances Acilo’s Historic Visit to Oyam and Loro Prisons Wins Hearts

Oyam, Uganda — Wednesday, 21st May 2025. Jane Frances Acilo, the Woman Member of Parliament aspirant for Oyam District, made a remarkable visit to Oyam Main Prison and Loro Prison on Wednesday, demonstrating a heartfelt commitment to the welfare of inmates and prison staff alike. Acilo’s visit included donations and a pledge to promote innovative farming initiatives and social development across the district.

 During her visit, Acilo emphasized her background as a farmer and the potential for agriculture to transform Oyam, where poverty remains alarmingly high at 75%, almost double the national average of 40%. “This can only be addressed by starting new farming initiatives,” she said, urging the community to embrace modern farming methods to boost productivity and incomes.

Acilo also stressed the importance of education, calling on successful Oyam natives to return and invest in the district. She highlighted how commercial farming and planting improved seeds could generate income to fund education and other businesses, potentially transforming Oyam within the next decade.

Looking ahead, Acilo promised that if elected, she would lobby for the establishment of factories and industries in Oyam, leveraging the district’s abundant electricity from the Karuma Power Dam to create jobs. She urged parents to prioritize their children’s education to prepare them for these future opportunities. 

Addressing healthcare challenges in Oyam, Acilo acknowledged the need for strong lobbying efforts, confident that her connections could bring improvements.

At the prisons, Acilo pledged support for agricultural projects, including the establishment of a greenhouse at Oyam Main Prison to produce year-round vegetables. These greens would supplement the diets of pregnant, breastfeeding, and sick inmates, as well as benefit prison staff and their families. 

Prison officers expressed gratitude for the unprecedented visit. An anonymous warden shared, “It’s the first time an aspirant or political leader has thought about us and paid a courtesy visit. We pledge our full support in the upcoming NRM primaries on 16th July 2025."

Acilo also commended the prison staff for embracing Savings and Credit Cooperative Organizations (SACCOs) as a means to grow financially as a group and supported each SACCO group with capital funds. Acilo also donated boxes of soap and bags of sugar, addressing a critical shortage of soap for laundry.

As of the visit, Oyam Main Prison housed 612 inmates, including 55 females, of whom four have babies and seven are expectant. A prison warder who gave a vote of thanks remarked, “I have worked here for over nine years but have never seen an aspirant visit the prison. Jane Frances Acilo has reached out to the eligible voters in a way no one else has.”

Jane Frances Acilo’s visit marks a promising start to her campaign, blending social concern with practical plans for agricultural and economic growth in Oyam District.