African Prisons Project - Organizational History

Organizational History

In 2004, Alexander McLean was volunteering in a hospital in Kampala, Uganda when he helped treat a group of prisoners from Luzira Upper Prison. McLean was shocked that the patients were chained to their beds, with no opportunity for sanitation. Despite being terminally ill, many patients were unsupervised.

McLean visited the prison. He purchased materials and with the support of the prison authorities, supervised the prisoners renovating their own infirmary. When he asked the prisoners if they needed anything else, they expressed a desire for an education.

When McLean returned to the UK, he collected books and money donated by friends and family, and returned to the prison to establish a library. When McLean's actions inspired others to volunteer to help with the cause, APP was born. Today, McLean is a member of the Tearfund Inspired Individuals Programme, along with Kelvin Mwikya.