Lawmakers Call on President Museveni to Include Political Prisoners in Pardons

The decision by President Yoweri Museveni to pardon 143 prisoners on 19th November 2025 has sparked mixed reactions among lawmakers. While some welcomed the exercise, others called for similar clemency to be extended to political detainees such as Dr. Kizza Besigye and Obeid Lutaale, who remain in Uganda Prisons Service facilities without formal charges.

Seth Wambede, MP for Mbale North Division, said the pardon was constitutionally valid but questioned why political prisoners were excluded. “Yes, the Constitution gives him powers and, for me, I don’t see it as a bad thing. It’s a good thing and I welcome it. But the most important issue is the category of people. It should extend to every person, even political prisoners. Some have been held uncharged for long periods. They should either be charged or released if there is no case against them,” Wambede told reporters at Parliament.

Patrick Isingoma, MP for Hoima East, echoed these sentiments, suggesting the timing of the pardons was politically motivated ahead of the January 2026 general elections. “The President has the constitutional right to pardon convicts, and we thank him for that. But it’s not enough. I would have expected the names of Dr. Kizza Besigye and Obeid Lutaale to be included,” he said.

Isingoma added that both Besigye and Lutaale have been held at Luzira Prison since November last year without trial, bail, or due process. “Their rights have been compromised. It would have made much more sense if they were among those pardoned,” he said.

Speaking to the media, Frank Baine, Spokesperson for Uganda Prisons Service, explained that the pardons were carried out under Article 121(4) of the 1995 Constitution, following recommendations from the Prerogative of Mercy Committee. The 143 pardoned prisoners were all petty offenders, convicted of minor crimes such as theft, criminal trespass, and grievous harm, all triable in Magistrate’s Courts.

Baine said the exercise was aimed primarily at decongesting Uganda’s overcrowded prisons, which currently hold over 78,000 inmates against a capacity of 22,000, representing more than 300% of the intended population. “While removing 143 inmates is a relief, congestion remains a major challenge,” he noted.

The Prerogative of Mercy process begins with Uganda Prisons Service submitting names of eligible inmates. Candidates include those who have served more than 50% of their sentence, elderly prisoners above 60, breastfeeding and pregnant mothers, terminally ill inmates, and capital offenders who have completed appeals or have less than two months remaining on their sentence. Outside petitions, lawyers may also petition the President directly, particularly on behalf of capital offenders.

Baine confirmed that the pardoned prisoners came from over 100 facilities nationwide and would be released immediately once administrative paperwork is completed. “As I speak today, they will not sleep in prison. Once we receive the order, we execute it,” he said.