Summary:
- He had been convicted for the 2016 shooting of social work and child rights activist Kenneth Akena, to which he pleaded guilty.
KAMPALA: Kampala Capital City businessman Mathew Kanyamunyu was released from Luzira Upper Prison on Friday, April 12, 2024, upon completing his sentence of 3 years and 5 months.
He had been convicted for the 2016 shooting of social work and child rights activist Kenneth Akena, to which he pleaded guilty. Originally facing a murder charge, it was reduced to manslaughter.
In November 11, 2020, Kanyamunyu was sentenced to 5 years and one month in prison. His girlfriend and co-accused Cynthia Munwangari was acquitted of all charges.
Initially arrested in 2016 as a suspect in Akena’s murder, Kanyamunyu reportedly shot at Akena following a car incident in Lugogo, Kampala, where Akena had accidentally knocked his car.
Despite Kanyamunyu and his girlfriend claiming to have taken Akena to the hospital as good samaritans, Akena allegedly disclosed that he was shot by them. Postmortem results revealed two bullets in Akena’s stomach.
Before his sentencing, Kanyamunyu participated in a traditional ritual known as Mato Oput, held at the Ker Kwaro Acholi (Acholi chiefdom). During this ceremony, he reportedly confessed to killing Akena and was asked to pay ten cows and three goats by the Acholi elders.
