Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Roma (Agenzia Fides)- “Today in Ugandan prisons there are about 400 prisoners awaiting execution” Comboni missionary Father Tarcisio Agostoni, on mission in Uganda since 1951, told Fides. The missionary, who has provided spiritual care prison inmates for decades, said that “Compared to the early 1990s we have seen an appalling increase in the number of people awaiting execution: in 1990-91, there were about ninety and what is more one third certainly were innocent. In those times executions were held once every three years and only a few of the condemned prisoners were sent to the gallows. However, in April 1999 the penal system was made more rigid and in one day 28 people were hanged. Since then the number of people condemned to capital punishment has steadily increased” Father Agostoni told “The fact that the number continues to rise shows that the death penalty does not deter criminals. If the number grows every year it means that murderers give no thought to the threat of execution. So what is the point of a punishment which is contrary to all moral principles and the most fundamental of human rights”.
“There are three stages in Uganda’s judicial system: local court, court of appeal, supreme court. A person sentenced after the third stage may demand a reprieve. On paper the system would seem to guarantee a just trial” - Father Agostoni said - but, like all human things it has imperfections which nullify the process. A major problem for prisoner is to get a good legal adviser. It is mostly a question of money, only the rich can afford a good lawyer ”.
“In fact part of my work is to see that prisoners receive legal adequate assistance. And to do this I have to appeal to people’s generosity. However it is not easy to convince people to donate something to help a man accused of murder to defend himself” Father Agostoni said. “I follow the work of the lawyer and exert pressure when there are any bureaucratic hold ups. At times it takes months for papers to be sent from local courts to the Court of Appeal in the capital Kampala”.
“Naturally, I also offer spiritual assistance to the inmates and help meet their daily material needs. Most days when I leave the prison my pocket is full of “shopping” lists for food, medicine, clothing, shoes etc”.
In all these years many innocent men have been saved from execution thanks to the determination and efforts of Father Agostoni. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 6/5/2004, righe 36 parole 470)
