On June 26, 2000, Toro Prime Minister John Katuramu was remanded to Luzira Prison. He had been charged with murder. A Toro prince, Charles Happy Kijanangoma and his bodyguard, Stephen Kaganda alias Mulokole, had been gunned down at the Palace View Bar, Fort Portal, at about 9.00pm  on March 25, 1999 and the investigation  had led to Katuramu’s door. 

Kijjanangoma was murdered  two days before he was supposed to testify in court against Katuramu in a case that was intimately related to the affairs of Toro Kingdom.
Katuramu was charged along with Ernest Nkoba, Alex Twinomugisha, Bob Weswala, Patrick Kwezi, Jimmy Rombo Okumu, and others.

In September 2001 Katuramu was  convicted by Justice John Bosco Katutsi  as court found that he  had  financed the murder. He was sentenced to death,  but escaped execution following the November 2009 Supreme Court ruling that condemned prisoners be executed within three years of confirmation of their sentence. 

In 2010, Katuramu, who had been on death row for over eight years, was among condemned inmates who had their sentences reduced to life imprisonment, which in Uganda translates into 20 years.

In July 2012, the former Toro Prime Minister for the first time spoke out from Luzira Prison. Now a born-again Christian, he apologised to the people of Toro and Uganda for his misdeeds in the exclusive interview.

Consistently referring to Bible verses, Katuramu said prison had given him time to reflect upon his life. “It is unfortunate what happened, happened. But the bottom line is that I am very sorry,” he told Sunday Vision’s Charles Etukuri.

Katuramu Speaks To Sunday Vision At Luzira Prison July 2012 A

Thirteen years in prison for murder. How has life been? 
Life in prison has not been easy but when I came to prison I renewed my commitment to Jesus Christ and that has helped me a lot. I have invested my time in reading the Bible and it has brought me closer to God. Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. I may be locked up in prison, but I am free. 

You spent close to 10 years in the condemned section before you were transferred to the main Boma. What was it like there? 
Life in condemn and that in the main Boma is the same. It is still prison. You are still counted, you still have a prisoner number. The only difference is that in condemn, you die many times because you keep thinking about the day you will be executed. My coming back here (Boma) was like a miracle. After going through this experience, you realise that God is all you need, because God is all you’ve got when you are here. 

What was your most frightening moment? 
When the courts decided that I was to be hanged, and everybody rose up to say their last prayers. I had never been so frightened in my entire life. It was something that I did not expect and it was so scary. I felt like being buried. 

How can you convince people that you are a changed man? 
The John Sanyu Katuramu who lived outside these prison walls defined his life and happiness by material things. This Katuramu you are talking to has his life rooted in God. I cannot claim to be holy, but I have learnt to pray for forgiveness and to forgive myself. 

If you were released, what would you do differently? 
I would share with people what I have learned from reflections in my life while in prison — happiness even without material wealth. When you have God, you have everything. 

Katuramu says when the courts decided that he was to be hanged

What lessons can one take from your experience in prison? 
However difficult your situation is, tough times soon get better as long as you choose to have the right attitude. Positive thinking will keep you happy and in good health. 

Have you reached out to the people your actions offended? 
I have sent out messages of love and forgiveness. They have forgiven me just as I have done to those that offended me. It is ultimately in our best interest as people from the same family of God that we forgive, repent and reconcile. 

There are those who have consistently been opposed to your pardon. What do you have to say about that? 
Many Toro people have been supportive and have forgiven me. I worked for them and I will continue once I am out of here.

Do you feel remorseful for what happened? 
Very much. What happened was unfortunate though it was exaggerated. All I can say to my people from Toro and Uganda as a whole is that I am sorry. I pray for their forgiveness. 

What has kept you going? 
I would have died a long time ago but I have a positive mind. I have refused to habour negative feelings like bitterness in my life. 

What is your relationship with the current King? 
King Oyo is my King. I am his loyal subject who served as his first regent/Prime Minister from the time of his enthronement at the age of three years up to the time of my imprisonment. Our relationship is excellent. 

What is your view about the death penalty? 
We have cases of people who are condemned to death together with innocent people. Many of the guilty people reform, and get good education while here in prison. When you kill such a person 10 years after their imprisonment, you would have killed a completely different person from the one who was arrested. You can see for yourself that no former inmate pardoned by the President has ever been brought back for another crime. 

Have you submitted a plea for Presidential pardon? 
Yes I have. People of Toro, religious, political, cultural and youth leaders have also written begging for pardon for me. 

Katuramu says he feels remorseful for what happened

What special message have you for your subjects and friends out there?
 I still love them as before. I would not come outside these gates with the spirit of revenge. I have no bitterness towards anybody. I am inspired by the simple philosophy that “Overcome evil with good, falsehood with the truth and hatred with love.” Thank you all for praying for me. I am in prison but free. 

What do you have to say about your family? 
Words are inadequate. Without them I would be no more. For the relatives I lost while in prison, I will meet them in heaven