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Capital punishment, more popularly known as the death penalty is the execution of a person by the state as punishment for a crime. The discussion regarding the death penalty is always a heated debate with moderates advocating for life sentences while the extremists believing that it is the ultimate punishment to anyone who deserves it.
In 2005, when this debate gained strong ground in Uganda, many people especially religious leaders supported by the Foundation for Human Rights Initiative, FHRI, strongly advocated for the death penalty to be abolished. Their cause was greatly supported by Uganda’s department of prisons which said that hangings traumatize wardens.
Often times the death penalty proponents always come out victorious. They happen to be more in number, a situation that points out that there is little mercy in this world. President Museveni is also quoted saying then, “I hear some people saying that the death sentence is inhuman. Very sorry. We shall shoot anybody who kills a human being”
The BBC ran the story of abolishing the death penalty in 2005, and 6 out of the ten respondents were against that decision. Definitely, most of us still believe in the law of retaliation as the ultimate justice served!
If the Supreme court rules in support of abolishing the death penalty, it would be a pleasant gift to the over 900 death row inmates constantly living a hopeless life whose sentences would then be reduced to life imprisonment. Less of that would only show the inhumane side of the Ugandan judiciary.
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From the point of view that african presidents directly control everything in their countries, no government structure can truly be independent from manipulation by the appointing authority!
Well, the Death Penalty, and as has been shown innumerable times in the USA, is a solution to a serious crime which is so final that when they accuse, convict and execute the wrong person - it is irrevocable. People can be unjustly accused of serious crimes, processed by the system and then sent to death row. Some are saved, some are given indefinite stays of execution, some are executed. After the execution, when some new evidence arises, or some new witness steps forward - how can you undo what has been done if you have executed the person in question ? Ultimately, if justice is about revenge (which, let’s face it - it shouldn’t be, but largely is) - let someone stay in jail for their lifetime. That is a harder option than death. Jail is no holiday.
Thank you for this insight into the sharp end the Ugandan justice system.
To quote you a bit, ”..let someone stay in jail for their lifetime. That is a harder option than death... ”
I would find giving somebody a death sentence a ”harder option”. Just like you put, we have heard so many people on death accused of crimes they didn’t commit. In Africa, if you happen to support the opposition, the government would find it quick to charge you with terrorism or supporting rebels, which carries a death sentence when convicted. And you are always convicted anyway, out of the tramped up evidence.
This story summarizes a Ugandan’s day on death row, http://www.amnesty.org/en/news-and-updates/feature-stories/stop-death-penalty-worldwide-abolition-now-20071031