President Pardons 130 Convicted Prisoners on Humanitarian Grounds

President Yoweri Museveni  has granted a pardon to 130 convicted minor offenders. The decision, which was implemented on October 15, 2024, aligns with the provisions of Article 121 of the Ugandan Constitution, allowing the President to pardon prisoners on grounds of public health and humanitarian concerns.

The release of the prisoners, whose offenses ranged from theft and burglary to possession of narcotics and even manslaughter, underscores the government's commitment to addressing both overcrowding in prisons and improving public health conditions within these facilities.

Among the offenses were theft, grievous harm, unlawful possession of wildlife species, and possession of narcotics, according to the press release from the Uganda Prisons Service.

Frank Baine Mayanja, Senior Commissioner of Prisons and the service spokesperson, confirmed that all 130 individuals had been released following the pardon.

"The pardons were granted based on public health and humanitarian reasons, and all necessary procedures were followed to ensure the safe release of these prisoners," he stated.

The list of pardoned individuals includes various crimes, with theft being the most common. Other offenses on the list include burglary, arson, causing death by reckless driving, attempted murder, and unlawful possession of narcotics.

The pardon also covered convicts of less frequent crimes such as possession of wildlife species, injuring animals, and conspiracy to defraud.

Some notable cases from the list include:Otti Christopher , who was  Convicted of arson, Kirya Keefa , who was  Convicted of burglary and theft and Ndinawe Pauson ,  Convicted of unlawful possession of narcotics among others.

The Ugandan government has highlighted that the decision to pardon these prisoners was motivated primarily by public health concerns, especially with the continued need to decongest prisons.

Overcrowding in Ugandan prisons has long been an issue, exacerbating health risks among inmates.

The release of minor offenders, therefore, helps reduce the strain on the penal system while allowing convicts a second chance at reformation and reintegration into society.

Human rights groups and prison reform advocates have praised the decision, noting that addressing overpopulation in prisons is a step towards respecting the rights and dignity of inmates.

It also allows those convicted of lesser offenses to rebuild their lives outside of prison walls.

As Uganda continues to navigate issues related to public health and prison reforms, this presidential pardon marks a significant shift in how the country addresses minor offenders within its legal framework.

It remains to be seen how successfully these former inmates will reintegrate, but this step offers hope for further reforms in Uganda's correctional system.

This large-scale presidential pardon is a humanitarian gesture and a strategic move towards improving public health and prison conditions in Uganda.