130 convicted prisoners were pardoned on October 15, 2024, in a presidential directive aimed at addressing public health and humanitarian concerns. The pardons were granted by His Excellency the President, in accordance with Article 121 of the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda.
The prisoners, who were mostly minor offenders, have since been released. Frank Baine, the Senior Commissioner of Prisons and Deputy Director of CCA, confirmed the news in a press release, stating, “All the pardoned prisoners have now been released. This move was made on public health and humanitarian grounds.”
The list of pardoned inmates includes individuals convicted of a variety of offenses. Theft accounted for the majority of the convictions, with 47 prisoners pardoned for crimes related to theft, including housebreaking, shopbreaking, burglary, and stealing from vehicles. Several others were convicted of grievous harm (10), manslaughter(6), arson(4), and possession of narcotics(5).
Among those pardoned were Christopher Otti, convicted of arson, and several others convicted of theft, such as Kirya Keefa for burglary and theft, and Madanda Derrick for theft. The pardon also extended to those involved in wildlife-related offenses, including Ndiaguma Afrikanu, who was convicted of unlawful possession of wildlife species.
“This is part of the government’s commitment to decongest prisons and ensure the wellbeing of prisoners, especially those convicted of minor offenses,” Baine noted.