President pardons 1,369 inmates on Union Day

ZANZIBAR: PRESIDENT Samia Suluhu Hassan has pardoned 1,369 inmates in commemoration of the 62nd anniversary of the Union between Tanganyika and Zanzibar.

Among them, 436 inmates were released immediately, while 933 others had their sentences reduced and will continue to serve the remaining portions of their terms.

According to a statement issued by Minister for Home Affairs, Mr Patrobas Katambi, the President exercised her constitutional powers under Article 45(1)(a)–(d) of the Constitution of the United Republic of Tanzania to grant a remission of one-sixth (1/6) of sentences to eligible prisoners.

Mr Katambi said the beneficiaries include inmates serving sentences of one year or more who have already completed at least one-quarter (¼) of their prison terms and were admitted to prison before January 25, 2026.

The pardon also covers prisoners suffering from chronic or terminal illnesses, certified by a panel of medical experts under Regional or District Medical Officers.

Elderly inmates aged 70 years and above, similarly certified, are also among those who benefited. Female prisoners who entered prison while pregnant or those with children, whether breastfeeding or not, were included in the clemency, alongside inmates with physical or mental disabilities who are unable to work, as verified by medical authorities.

Additionally, prisoners detained under Presidential Pleasure who have served at least 10 years, as well as those who have served 25 years or more, benefited from the clemency.

Death row inmates who have spent 15 years or more in prison and have exhausted all legal appeal processes have had their sentences commuted from death to life imprisonment.

However, the clemency does not extend to prisoners serving sentences outside prison under parole or those who were returned to custody after violating parole conditions under the Parole Boards Act (Cap. 400), the Community Service Act (Cap. 291) and the Prisons (Extra Mural Penal Employment) Regulations of 1968.

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It also excludes prisoners convicted of economic sabotage, abuse of office, money laundering, corruption, human trafficking, or involvement in drug-related offences, including cannabis.

Inmates convicted of sexual offences such as rape, child abduction, or impregnating schoolgirls, as well as crimes related to violence against children, are also not eligible for clemency.

Further excluded are prisoners convicted of robbery, armed robbery, illegal possession of firearms, ammunition or explosives and those involved in such offences.

The clemency also does not apply to those convicted of dealing in human body parts, poaching, or engaging in activities involving government trophies, as well as those convicted of theft or embezzlement of public funds.

Prisoners serving sentences for escape or attempted escape from lawful custody, or aiding such offences, are similarly excluded.

Other ineligible groups include prisoners convicted of attempted murder, attempted suicide, infanticide, terrorism, piracy and cybercrimes, as well as repeat offenders and those who have previously benefited from presidential clemency.

Inmates who have committed prison disciplinary offences within the past three years as of April 26, 2026, civil prisoners and those convicted of murder and sentenced to death except those whose sentences have been commuted to life imprisonment are also excluded.

Mr Katambi expressed the government’s expectation that the released prisoners will reintegrate into society, work alongside other citizens in building the nation and refrain from engaging in criminal activities that could lead them back to prison.