Uganda, May 8 -- A 75-year-old ailing man who has been on remand at Luzira Prison for three years following his arrest on aggravated defilement charges pleaded with a High Court judge in Kampala to set him free after being pardoned by the victim's family.

Godfrey Ssozi, a resident of Bulenga 'B' Village in Wakiso District on Wednesday appeared before Justice Margaret Mutonyi, alongside 25-year-old Sam Nyeba who has also been battling separate defilement charges. Nyeba's victim was aged 17 at the time of the offence.

A frail-looking Ssozi had been carried to the courtroom by Nyeba with whom they have been on remand since 2021.

They were both convicted on their own volition before pleading for pardon.

"I apologise for the wrongdoing and...