UGANDA. ABOLISH DEATH PENALTY, PRISONS CHIEF PLEADS

Joseph Etima, the outgoing Commissioner General of Uganda Prisons, urged the Constitutional Court to declare the death penalty illegal.
Etima told a press conference at Nile University offices in Arua town that, "I would be the happiest person if the Constitutional Court declares the death penalty unconstitutional".
At least 417 inmates of Luzira Upper Prison and Jinja Main Prison at Kirinya had filed a petition, in which they said the death penalty was unconstitutional. It was the first case to be filed by condemned prisoners in Uganda.
About 14 Kampala-based lawyers led by Mr John Katende and Prof. Frederick Ssempebwa, argued the case in mid-January. They said they did the job free of charge because of its uniqueness. Etima, his deputy, Mr David Byabashaija, the Assistant Commissioner of Prisons, Mr Moses Wagaba and Mr David Nsalasatta, swore affidavits supporting the petition. Etima had consistently opposed the death penalty during his career saying the killing haunted and traumatized the hangmen.