City murderer escapes hangman’s noose, turns state witness
KAMPALA-A convicted city murderer and robber has apologised to the family of his victim and also opted to help the state in testifying against his partners in crime.
While appearing before High Court in plea bargaining session, Hassan Kato 30, pleaded guilty to murder of a one, Ali Mutyaba, before he told court that he is remorseful for his actions and wants to be pardoned.
Consequently, Justice Elizabeth Alvidza listened to his pleas and instead of sentencing him to life imprisonment or death, the judge condemned him to eight years in jail.
Court decided to give him (Kato) a lenient sentence on condition that he would become a principal state witness to pin his co-accused who, unlike him (convict) maintain that they are innocent.
On the dreadful night of February 9, 2014, Kato and three other men forced their way into the house of Mutyaba in Namasuba Kalina zone a city suburb where they found him sound asleep before hitting him (Mutyaba) with a hardcore stone which killed him instantly.
“After killing Mutyaba, they loaded his property in his car and drove it away to unknown destination,” stated part of the indictment read before court.
Consequently, Kato accepted Court’s condition on promise that an order is issued to the prison authorities to transfer him to another prison as his associates in crime had promised to harm him for siding with the State.
And on Tuesday, Justice Alvidza ordered the prison authorities to transfer him to another prison to ensure his safety
