Constitution of Uganda / Article 121 Prerogative of mercy
Prerogative of mercy
121.Prerogative of mercy
(1)There shall be an Advisory Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy which shall consist of—
(a)the Attorney General who shall be the Chairperson; and
(b)six prominent citizens of Uganda appointed by the President.
(2)A person shall not be qualified for appointment as a member of the committee if he or she is a member of Parliament, the Uganda Law Society or a district council.
(3)A member appointed under clause (1)(b) of this Article shall serve for a period of four years and shall cease to be a member of the committee—
(a)if circumstances arise that would disqualify him or her from appointment; or
(b)if removed by the President for inability to perform the functions of his or her office arising from infirmity of body or mind or for misbehaviour, misconduct or incompetence.
(4)The President may, on the advice of the committee—
(a)grant to any person convicted of an offence a pardon either free or subject to lawful conditions;
(b)grant to a person a respite, either indefinite or for a specified period, from the execution of punishment imposed on him or her for an offence;
(c)substitute a less severe form of punishment for a punishment imposed on a person for an offence; or
(d)remit the whole or part of a punishment imposed on a person or of a penalty or forfeiture otherwise due to Government on account of any offence.
(5)Where a person is sentenced to death for an offence, a written report of the case from the trial judge or judges or person presiding over the court or tribunal, together with such other information derived from the record of the case or elsewhere as may be necessary, shall be submitted to the Advisory Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy.
(6)A reference in this Article to conviction or imposition of a punishment, sentence or forfeiture includes conviction or imposition of a punishment, penalty, sentence or forfeiture by a court martial or other military tribunal except a field court martial.