President Yoweri Museveni has exercised his authority under Article 121 of the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda to grant clemency to 130 individuals convicted of minor offenses. This announcement was made by the Uganda Prisons Services on Tuesday.
, the decision was based on considerations of public health and humanitarian concerns.
All individuals who received pardons have been released.
In 2022, the president still exercised his constitutional authority under Article 121(1)(a) of the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda to pardon 79 individuals, following recommendations from the Advisory Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy.
In 2020, President Museveni also pardoned 833 prisoners nationwide to reduce overcrowding in correctional facilities following the COVID-19 pandemic.
Article 121 of the Constitution establishes the Advisory Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy, while Article 121(4)(b) allows the President, upon the Committee’s advice, to grant a respite from punishment, either indefinitely or for a specified duration, to individuals convicted of an offense.
