By Rédaction Africa Links 24 with
Published on 2024-01-17 19:31:43
President Yoweri Museveni has granted a pardon to David Chandi Jamwa, the former National Social Security Fund (NSSF) managing director who was serving a 12-year jail term for causing a financial loss of over Shs 3 billion to the government. The pardon also extends to 12 other convicts who have been serving sentences ranging between three and 20 years imprisonment.
The Uganda Prison Services spokesperson, Frank Baine, confirmed that they have received the president’s letter pardoning the convicts and are preparing to release them accordingly. This action is in line with the president’s prerogative of mercy under the law.
Jamwa was convicted in 2011 on two counts of abuse of office and causing financial loss under the Anti-Corruption Act 2009. He appealed to the Court of Appeal against the conviction and sentence, but the appeals were consolidated and subsequently dismissed. As a result, he had no choice but to serve the sentence.
Following the news of the pardon, Jamwa’s lawyer, Asuman Odaka, expressed his gratitude to President Museveni and confirmed that Jamwa would be released from prison within a matter of hours. He also mentioned that they had lobbied extensively for Jamwa’s release, and the president’s decision was a welcome relief.
It is worth noting that this is not the first time President Museveni has exercised his right to pardon prisoners. In April 2020, he pardoned 833 prisoners across the country, and a prominent politician from Tororo revealed that during a meeting with the president, he expressed surprise that Jamwa was still in jail.
The decision to pardon Jamwa and the other convicts has been met with relief and appreciation from various circles, including Jamwa’s family, political figures, and his legal representatives. This pardon brings an end to Jamwa’s time behind bars and paves the way for his return to society.
Read the original article on The Observer
