President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has granted a pardon to John Muhanguzi Kashaka, a former Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Local Government, who had been serving a sentence for financial mismanagement.
The pardon was issued under Article 121 (1) (a) of the 1995 Constitution of Uganda, as amended, which allows the President to exercise clemency towards convicted individuals.
“In accordance with Article 121 (1) (a) of the 1995 Constitution of the Republic of Uganda as amended, H.E The President of the Republic of Uganda has granted pardon to two (2) convicted prisoners; John Muhanguzi Kashaka and Henry Bamutura (posthumous) who had been convicted by the Anti-Corruption Division of the High Court for the offense of causing financial loss and sentenced to a term of imprisonment of 10 years and 10 days on 17th July 2014 and their Earliest Possible Date of Discharge (EPD) was 17th April 2021 subject to remission,” Moses Ssentalo, Commissioner of Prisons Assistant PRO revealed.
Kashaka, along with his co-accused, Henry Bamutura (posthumously), had been convicted by the Anti-Corruption Division of the High Court in July 2014.
The court sentenced them to 10 years and 10 days in prison for causing financial loss. Their offenses involved mismanagement of funds allocated for the procurement of bicycles meant for local council leaders. The court ruled that their negligence led to a significant financial loss to the government, sparking a public outcry against corruption in high offices.
Despite receiving a bail order from the Court of Appeal in 2014, both Kashaka and Bamutura were recommitted to prison following a subsequent ruling in 2019 that upheld their convictions. Bamutura, however, was later granted bail by the Supreme Court in March 2020 after serving a portion of his sentence. Tragically, he passed away during the course of his legal battles.
On October 3rd, 2024, John Muhanguzi Kashaka was officially pardoned, having served over five years, two months, and nine days in prison. His release comes after a lengthy legal journey that saw multiple appeals, judicial reviews, and public scrutiny.
