The Ugandan Attorney General replied to the constitutional...

The Ugandan Attorney General replied to the constitutional petition against the death penalty, saying the petitioners' right to life was not absolute. He said the right to life was not compromised in cases of a death sentence passed by a court of competent jurisdiction in respect of a criminal offence under the law. "I aver that this derogation is authorised by the constitution," read part of the AG statement. A total of 417 death row inmates had petitioned the Constitutional Court seeking abolition of the death penalty, saying it was unconstitutional. Through Katende Sempebwa & Company advocates, the inmates said that, from a constitutional standpoint, the right to life is absolute. The petition was based on article 24 and 44, which prohibits "any form of torture, cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment and punishment."