Our reporter

The Constitutional Court has, in a landmark judgment, ruled that jail sentences that are above 20 years are not backed by law.

Likewise, in a unanimous decision, the court quashed the earlier Supreme Court interpretation that had held that life imprisonment means one being jailed for the rest of their natural life.

Justice Christopher Madrama Izama, who wrote the lead decision ruled that “Sentences of between 21 and 73 years presented by the petitioners do not have any enabling legislation, adding that prescribing such penalties is breach of articles 28 (8) and 12 of the Constitution,” ruled .

The other justices included Fredrick Egonda Ntende, Muzamiru Kibeedi, Monica Mugenyi and Christopher Gashirabake.