President Yoweri Museveni has pardoned 19 National Unity Platform prisoners convicted of treachery and unlawful possession of ammunition under the Prerogative of Mercy.
Among the pardoned is Olivia Lutaay, a mother of two kids who has been the poster face of the group and earned much public respect for her resolve to bear the brunt of incarceration in military detention for more than three years.
She was in 2021 violently arrested from her home in Namuwongo, a Kampala suburb, and detained incommunicado for weeks before she was arraigned in the military court.
The other pardoned individuals are: Rashid Sseggujja, Robert Christopher Rugumayo, Simon Kakoza Muhuyadin, Kujambu, Abdul Matoovu, Ronald Kijjambu, Mesach Kiwanuka, Ibrahim Wandera, Stephen Nagwere Asubat, Musakaru, Paul Muyanguzi, Sharif Matovu, Davis Mafabi, Livingstone Katushabe Kigozi, Swaibu Katabi, Siraji Obalayai Mudebo, Joseph Muganza, and Stanley Lwanga.
The pardon, issued under Article 121(1)(a) of the 1995 Constitution, follows recommendations by the Advisory Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy.
These individuals have been serving sentences for offenses classified as treachery under Section 129(a) of the UPDF Act, Cap 330, and unlawful possession of ammunition under Section 3(1)(2)(a) of the Firearms Act, Cap 320.
“I hereby grant a pardon of the sentence to the persons below for the offence of Treachery c/s 129 (a) of the UPDF Act, Cap 330 and Unlawful Possession of Ammunition c/s 3 (1) (2) (a) of the Firearms Act, Cap 320:” Museveni noted in the letter.
