The President can still grant mercy—like pardons, reduced sentences, or reprieves—for crimes that happened before the Constitution took effect. This means people convicted earlier can apply for clemency even if the laws have changed. Government is allowed to show compassion for past offences and is not blocked by the new rules. The power helps correct unfair or overly harsh punishments from the past.

The prerogative of mercy of the President under <span class="underline-gradient ref" data-tippy-content data-ref="121">Article 121</span> of this Constitution may be exercised in respect of any criminal offences committed before the coming into force of this Constitution as it may in respect of a criminal offence committed after the coming into force of this Constitution.

Article 282 allows the President to grant mercy for criminal offenses committed before and after the new Constitution takes effect.

Article 282: President can pardon old crimes

Prerogative of mercy re cases before Constitution

<div style='font-weight:600; margin-bottom:12px; padding-bottom:6px'>Prerogative of mercy</div><div style='margin-top:10px; margin-bottom:6px;'><strong>1</strong> There shall be an Advisory Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy which shall consist of—<div style='margin-left:16px; margin-top:6px; margin-bottom:4px;'><div style='margin-bottom:6px;'><strong>(a)</strong> the Attorney General who shall be the Chairperson; and</div><div style='margin-bottom:6px;'><strong>(b)</strong> six prominent citizens of Uganda appointed by the President.</div></div><div style='margin-top:10px; margin-bottom:6px;'><strong>2</strong> 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.<div style='margin-left:16px; margin-top:6px; margin-bottom:4px;'></div><div style='margin-top:10px; margin-bottom:6px;'><strong>3</strong> 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—<div style='margin-left:16px; margin-top:6px; margin-bottom:4px;'><div style='margin-bottom:6px;'><strong>(a)</strong> if circumstances arise that would disqualify him or her from appointment; or</div><div style='margin-bottom:6px;'><strong>(b)</strong> 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.</div></div><div style='margin-top:10px; margin-bottom:6px;'><strong>4</strong> The President may, on the advice of the committee—<div style='margin-left:16px; margin-top:6px; margin-bottom:4px;'><div style='margin-bottom:6px;'><strong>(a)</strong> grant to any person convicted of an offence a pardon either free or subject to lawful conditions;</div><div style='margin-bottom:6px;'><strong>(b)</strong> 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;</div><div style='margin-bottom:6px;'><strong>(c)</strong> substitute a less severe form of punishment for a punishment imposed on a person for an offence; or</div><div style='margin-bottom:6px;'><strong>(d)</strong> 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.</div></div><div style='margin-top:10px; margin-bottom:6px;'><strong>5</strong> 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.<div style='margin-left:16px; margin-top:6px; margin-bottom:4px;'></div><div style='margin-top:10px; margin-bottom:6px;'><strong>6</strong> 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.<div style='margin-left:16px; margin-top:6px; margin-bottom:4px;'></div></div>

Article 282: President can pardon old crimes

282.Prerogative of mercy re cases before Constitution

Summary