Museveni sets terms for Katuramu pardon
Residents display John Katuramu’s posters at Mr Museveni’s rally in Kabarole District on Tuesday. PHOTO BY RUTH KATUSABE
What you need to know:
Background. The former Tooro premier is serving a life sentence for murdering Prince Happy Kijanangoma on March 25, 1999
Kabarole.
President Museveni has set conditions that have to be met before he considers pardoning jailed former Tooro premier John Sanyu Katuramu.
The President made the commitment on the touchy issue after residents held aloft posters with Katuramu’s portrait as he campaigned at Kibiito Town Council and Boma grounds in Fort Portal Town.
“Issues of Katuramu can’t be solved at a rally. I need to sort it out with the the families but not at a rally. So if the two families settled (agreed), I have no problem with releasing Katuramu,” Mr Museveni said.
The former Tooro premier is serving a life sentence for murdering Prince Happy Kijanangoma on March 25, 1999. He unsuccessfully appealed his sentence in the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court.
“I advised the wife of Katuramu to go and meet the offended (deceased’s) family and reconcile. I have powers to pardon Katuramu but I don’t want to release him when the two parties are not agreeing,” the President explained.
Fort Portal Municipality MP Alex Ruhunda had earlier told Mr Museveni the two parties had reconciled, prompting the President to say he has “no problem” with Katuramu’s release.
Mr Ruhunda told the President that the majority of Batooro would love to see the former prime minister set free. This is the second time the people of Tooro demand Katuramu’s pardon during presidential campaigns. In 2011, the demand for his pardon dominated President Museveni’s campaigns in Kabarole District.
The Constitution gives the President powers to forgive convicts under the annual prerogative of mercy. On December 28, the Uganda Prisons Service listed 2,500 inmates for possible pardon.
About Katuramu
Katuramu was born on June 20, 1955. in Kabale village, Kibiito Sub-county in Bunyangabu County, Kabarole District.His business empire, which has since collapsed included Give and Take Group of Companies. He also owned Oxford Airways, Voice of Tooro, Rwenkuba Ranchers and several real estate properties. Katuramu supported the NRA Bush War struggle in Kabarole area.
