Former Tooro Kingdom Prime Minister and wealthy businessman John Sanyu Katuramu has left Luzira Prison after spending 20 years behind bars for masterminding the murder of Prince Happy Kijanangoma.
In September 2001, Justice John Bosco Katutsi handed Katuramu a life sentence after convicting him of murder. Justice Katutsi agreed with prosecution which had alleged that on March 25, 1999, Katuramu financed the murder of Prince Kijanangoma and Stephen Kaganda, a guard, which happened at Palace View Bar in Fort Portal in Kabarole District.
Both the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court dismissed Katuramu’s prayers to have Katutsi’s judgement nullified.
Kijanangoma’s murder stemmed from squabbles in the Kingdom of Tooro following the death of Omukama (King) Patrick Olimi Kaboyo around 1993,.
The disagreements stemmed from kingdom properties and power struggle against royals including that of Kijanangoma and Princess Elizabeth Bagaya.
.Katuramu was not seated. He made attempts to stop Kijanangoma and the royals from humiliating him and was ready to do everything in his power to eliminate the prince. Kijanangoma
.The assassins executed their plan on March 25, 1999, killing Prince Kijanangoma and Kaganda in Fort Portal.
Although the convict’s family had requested President Museveni to use his annual prerogative of mercy to release Katuramu, the decision delayed after the fountain of honour insisted that the former kingdom prime minister should seek forgiveness from Kijanangoma’s family.
“ Former Tooro Prime Minister John Katuramu was pardoned after his family reconciling with that of Prince Happy Kijanangoma,” said inside source.
Convinced that the Katuramus and the Kijanangomas had reconciled, President Museveni signed papers ordering the release of the former Tooro Prime Minister.
Dr Johnson Byabashaija respected the presidential directive and released the former premier Katuramu out of jail after serving 20yrs.
