I thank President Museveni for ending my nightmare, says former NSSF boss Jamwa
Jamwa was pardoned with twelve others in accordance to Presidential prerogative powers.
Former National Social Security Fund (NSSF) boss David Chandi Jamwa has thanked President Yoweri Museveni for ending what he called his nightmare in Luzira prison.
This follows the President pardoning Jamwa and twelve others in accordance to his prerogative mercy powers.
“In accordance with Article 121 (4) of the 1995 Constitution of the Republic of Uganda, H.E the President has granted pardon to a total of 13 prisoners on public health and humanitarian grounds,” Prisons Spokesperson Frank Baine said in a statement.
Speaking after his release, Jamwa told journalists that he was surprised by the act and thanked the President for his kindness.
“It came as a surprise but when we found out that the prerogative had been exercised, we could only be grateful. Prison life is difficult but also character building, so there are two sides to that coin. It’s an experience that changes you for the better. I just thank God for keeping me alive. I also thank the prisons staff for doing the best in terms of looking after me,” he said.
Jamwa has been serving a 12-year jail sentence for causing a financial loss to NSSF. He was indicted by the High Court on two counts of abuse of office and causing financial loss contrary to the Anti-Corruption Act 2009.
He was tried and convicted of the offense of causing financial loss but was acquitted of the offense of abuse of office. He was then sentenced to 12 years imprisonment and barred from holding any public office for a period of 10 years serving the sentence.
The then Anti-corruption Court Judge, John Bosco Katutsi did not however order Jamwa to refund the three billion shillings that the fund lost in the sale of bonds. The court held the state did not prove that Jamwa benefited from the financial loss.
Others who were pardoned include, Ntale Vincent, Drabo Nelson, Omirambe James, Joseph Kabila, Leku Francis, Aliama Samuel, Yoha Ayitia , Kato Fred, Okelo Zacharia and Owino Jackson, and John Mesach Ouma. Most of those who have been pardoned alongside Jamwa were reportedly serving sentences related to defilement.
