Matthew Kanyamunyu, a Kampala businessman, has been released from prison after serving a reduced sentence for the fatal shooting of child rights activist Kenneth Akena in 2016. Initially sentenced to five years and one month, Kanyamunyu served three years and five months with remission.
Convicted of manslaughter on November 12, 2020, Kanyamunyu initially faced murder charges, which were later withdrawn for his girlfriend, Cynthia Munwangari, who was with him during the incident. Initially denying the murder charges, Kanyamunyu changed his plea to guilty as the trial progressed, influenced by growing evidence.
Seeking reconciliation, Kanyamunyu engaged Acholi cultural leaders and elders, opting for traditional justice under the mato-oput process. He requested to be removed from the criminal trial and engaged in plea bargaining with the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), resulting in the reduced charge of manslaughter. Munwangari, his co-accused, had her charges dropped entirely and was released.
Background:
Matthew Kanyamunyu, a Kampala businessman, has been released from prison after serving a reduced sentence for the fatal shooting of child rights activist Kenneth Akena in 2016. Initially sentenced to five years and one month, Kanyamunyu served three years and five months with remission.
Convicted of manslaughter on November 12, 2020, Kanyamunyu initially faced murder charges, which were later withdrawn for his girlfriend, Cynthia Munwangari, who was with him during the incident. Initially denying the murder charges, Kanyamunyu changed his plea to guilty as the trial progressed, influenced by growing evidence.
Seeking reconciliation, Kanyamunyu engaged Acholi cultural leaders and elders, opting for traditional justice under the mato-oput process. He requested to be removed from the criminal trial and engaged in plea bargaining with the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), resulting in the reduced charge of manslaughter. Munwangari, his co-accused, had her charges dropped entirely and was released.
