DP calls on Museveni to pardon all political prisoners after granting pardon to Jimmy Lwamafa

By Naswiru Sekamate

The Democratic Party (DP) has voiced its criticism towards President Museveni for pardoning Jimmy Lwamafa, the former Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Public Service, citing it as a disservice to the nation. President Museveni, utilising his constitutional powers, has granted a pardon to Lwamafa, who had been serving a seven-year prison sentence for involvement in a pension scam.

Lwamafa was among the 200 individuals recommended for presidential pardon by the prerogative of mercy committee. “He falls under the three categories of those who were pardoned. He is elderly and in poor health, but more importantly, he has dedicated many years of service to this country.

On humanitarian grounds, he qualified for a pardon,” stated Frank Baine, the spokesperson for the Uganda Prisons Service, on Monday.

Lwamafa was sentenced alongside Christopher Obey, the former Principal Accountant in the Pensions Department, Stephen Kiwanuka Kunsa, the former Director of Research and Development, and city lawyer Bob Kasango. They were convicted by the Anti Corruption Court on charges including conspiracy to defraud, conspiracy to commit a felony, and forgery of judicial documents.

Lwamafa was also ordered to repay a portion of the misappropriated funds. Ismail Kiirya, the President of Uganda Young Democrats (UYD), reminded the public that Lwamafa along with others, were originally sentenced to 22 years in prison. “We would like to urge the president that there are many individuals in prisons who have received lighter sentences and also deserve his pardon. Their cases are of a political nature and have not caused any harm to the nation,” he expressed.

Kiirya argued that pardoning Lwamafa is a disservice because it sets a precedent for others who may want to embezzle funds with the hope of receiving a pardon. He called for the release of political prisoners as well.