Is Katuramu on the way out of Luzira?

Dec 09, 2017

Katuramu was convicted of the murder of a prince of Toro in 1999.

The release of a murderer from prison can be distressing to the victim's family. But the family of the slain Toro Kingdom prince Charles Happy Kijanangoma has agreed to forgive jailed former kingdom prime minister John Sanyu Katuramu, paving way for his release, sources have said.

Katuramu who is serving a life sentence, was in September 2001 convicted by Justice John Bosco Katutsi the for murder of the prince.  Court found that on March 25, 1999, Katuramu financed the murder of the prince and his guard, Stephen Kaganda at Palace View Bar in Fort Portal, Kabarole district. 

Patrick Kwezi, who was convicted for transmitting the cash to the killers and Alex Twinomugisha, a former UPDF kadogo who pulled the trigger, are currently serving death sentences at Luzira Prison. Katuramu has unsuccessfully appealed against the conviction in the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court. Since then, there have been several attempts to have Katuramu released.

But President Yoweri Museveni had set a condition that he would only pardon him after the two families have reconciled. "Katuramu's matters cannot be solved at a rally. I advised the wife of Katuramu to meet the deceased's family and reconcile. I have powers to pardon Katuramu, but I do not want to release him when the two parties are not agreeing," the President said at a 2016 campaign rally in Fort Portal town.

Sources say the initial reconciliatory talks took place in Kigali, Rwanda. It was a rare meeting in 2001 when Chris Katuramu took an initiative to plead for his condemned brother with the family of Kijanangoma.

Chris had to travel to Kigali in Rwanda to look for Prince Edward Kijanangoma, the younger brother, of the late prince.  After the Kigali meeting, Edward, who is the heir of Paul Kijanangoma, the eldest son of Sir George Rukidi, the former King of Toro, had to break the news to his family members about the initiative.

Edward called a meeting in 2012, with his brothers and sisters that included David Kijanangoma (the rebel prince who has been giving King Oyo sleepless nights over the throne), Patrick Kwezi, Grace Ochola, Christopher Kijanangoma and Damalie Komunkyera.

According to David Kijanangoma, the family fi rst rejected the initiative, saying they could not forgive a person who killed their brother. "We were in shock when Edward said he wanted us to reconcile with Katuramu's family.  Chris told Saturday Vision that the initial discussions were met with resistance. "When I met Edward in Kigali, the response was not positive. In fact, he

almost threw me out of his office, but I knew that time heals and we needed to talk," he said.  AGREEMENT He persisted, until 2012 when the two families agreed to talk. They also agreed that the Kijanangomas meet the rest of the royal family to discuss the intentions of seeking a reconciliation. However, this was not concluded until 2013, when they again meet at Golf Course Hotel in Kampala, in a meeting that both Chris Katuramu and David Kijanangoma described as tense. "I still had reservation on why we should forgive them. But after a

heated meeting, we agreed to meet our elders to have our differences sorted," David said. He said they met Charles Kamuratsi, who is the head of the royal clan in Toro Kingdom, Yusita Kijanangoma, their step-mother, Prof. Edward Rugumayo and Grace Komunkyera, among others. They also agreed to select the bishop of Rwenzori, Reuben Kisembo to spearhead the talks. Bishop Kisembo said he hosted the two families, prayed for them and saw a sign of reconciliation.  The meeting with the bishop was also attended by Katuramu's wife, Gertrude and her children.

They also met justice minister Kahinda Otafi ire for legal guidance.  MEETING KATURAMU IN JAIL After a series of meetings, they agreed to go to Luzira Prison and meet Katuramu and his co-accused. "What we saw when the Kijanangoma family visited Katuramu in prison made us believe he has served his punishment and is now a reformed man," Kisembo said.

David added his voice to the bishop's, saying the family had gone through a lot of trauma and it was time to forgive. He, however, added that the reconciliation process, led by bishop Kisembo, was no walk in the park.

"It was a life-changing moment filled with joy, anger and lots of emotions from both families," he added. David also said when the influential princess Elizabeth Bagaya heard about the development, she came to the family of Kijanangoma to confirm the news. "We told her yes, we had forgiven him. Her response was that ‘If you, the family have taken the step to forgive Katuramu, then I have nothing more to say.' Those were her words and she left," David said.

Saturday Vision called Bagaya to corroborate the information, but she said: "Please ask those who have been in talks, I have nothing to add." Job Mutungi Katuramu, the son of the former premier, said the two families have over time developed a strong bond.

 "Because of that bond, there is co-operation. The Kijanangoma family can now go to Luzira and visit my dad," he said. Despite the fact that Katuramu has fully been in charge of his businesses, Mutungi said that as a family, they have greatly missed him

In 1993, the Omukama of Toro, Patrick Olimi Kaboyo appointed John Sanyu Katuramu prime minister of the kingdom. Katuramu was introduced to the king by Princess Elizabeth Bagaya as a businessman who loved Toro, but rarely came into the limelight. Prior to his appointment, he owned Oxford Airways, Voice of Toro, Rwenkuba Ranchers and several real estate properties. Katuramu supported the NRA bush War struggle in Kabarole area. When the king died in 1995, some members of the royal family and kingdom offi cials retained Katuramu as the prime minister and he was also named one of the regents of the new three-year-old king, Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV.

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