It’s True That I Killed Him But I Asked For Forgiveness- Ex-Convict Kanyamunyu opens on Guilt and Redemption

Mathew Kanyamunyu, the businessman convicted over the 2016 killing of child rights activist Kenneth Akena, has broken his silence in a deeply reflective public statement. Writing on X, formerly Twitter, on Wednesday morning, Kanyamunyu spoke openly about the incident that changed many lives, including his own. His message was not defensive or dismissive, but heavy with guilt, responsibility, and a search for redemption.

In his statement, Kanyamunyu admitted that he caused serious harm that led to Akena’s death. He described it as an act without intention, but one whose consequences he fully accepts. He made it clear that he does not deny what happened and does not seek to escape the weight of his actions.

Kanyamunyu emphasized that he faced justice under Ugandan law. After years of legal battles and public attention, he eventually pleaded guilty to manslaughter in 2020 under a plea bargain arrangement. The court sentenced him to five years and one month in prison, a punishment he says he accepted as part of taking responsibility.

He served his prison term and was released in April 2024 after earning remission. According to him, prison was not just a place of punishment, but also a period of deep reflection. He says it forced him to confront the reality of his actions and the pain they caused.

Beyond the formal justice system, Kanyamunyu also spoke about going through Acholi traditional justice processes. He explained that he subjected himself to customary reconciliation mechanisms as a way of seeking peace with the family of the deceased and the wider community.

He expressed deep gratitude to the Acholi people and cultural institutions, especially Ker Kal Kwaro Acholi. These institutions guided the reconciliation process through traditional practices such as Laro Lok, Tito Tyen Lok, and Culo Kwoo. These steps, he said, were demanding but meaningful.

Through these cultural processes, restitution was made, and forgiveness was eventually extended by Kenneth Akena’s family. Kanyamunyu described this moment as humbling and painful, yet powerful. He acknowledged that forgiveness did not erase the loss or the suffering, but it allowed healing to begin.

In his message, Kanyamunyu paid special tribute to Akena’s family. He said their ability to forgive, despite enduring deep and lasting pain, showed rare moral strength. He admitted that their generosity of spirit is something he can never repay.

Kanyamunyu also framed his story as part of a larger national conversation. He argued that society often struggles to know what to do with people who have committed serious crimes, even after they have been punished. According to him, there is a tendency to permanently silence or erase such individuals.

He questioned whether accountability should mean lifelong condemnation. In his view, justice should include space for remorse, change, and reintegration, especially when harm was not intentional and responsibility has been taken.

He described Uganda as a deeply polarized society where forgiveness is often misunderstood as weakness. Instead, he argued that forgiveness requires courage and honesty, including the painful acceptance that ordinary people can make irreversible mistakes.

Kanyamunyu said he does not ask the public to forget what happened. He also does not claim to be free from the moral burden of his past. Rather, he says he lives with it every day, laying it “at the foot of Christ” and seeking guidance through faith.

His reference to faith highlighted another layer of his journey. He portrayed his spiritual beliefs as a source of strength, not an excuse. He stressed that faith does not cancel consequences, but helps him carry them with humility.

The statement appears to respond to renewed criticism following his return to public discussion. Since his release, some Ugandans have questioned whether he should be allowed back into public life. His words suggest he is aware of this anger and does not dismiss it.

Kanyamunyu described Acholi traditional justice as an “oasis of hope.” He said it offers a powerful example of how communities can pursue healing alongside punishment. In his view, these systems deserve respect, not suspicion.

He argued that traditional reconciliation does not replace the law, but complements it. While courts punish, culture heals, he suggested. Both, he said, are necessary for a society wounded by violence and mistrust.

The killing of Kenneth Akena in 2016 shocked the nation and sparked widespread outrage. Akena was known as a passionate child rights activist, and his death left a lasting scar on Uganda’s civil society.

Nearly a decade later, the wounds remain sensitive. Kanyamunyu’s statement has reopened debates about justice, forgiveness, and second chances. Online reactions show a country still divided on how to balance punishment with mercy.

Some see his words as sincere and brave, while others feel no statement can ever be enough. This tension reflects the broader struggle Uganda faces in dealing with painful pasts.

In the end, Kanyamunyu’s message is not a demand for acceptance, but an appeal for understanding. It is a reminder that justice does not end at sentencing, and that healing is a long, uncomfortable process.

Whether his story will change public opinion remains uncertain. What is clear, however, is that his statement has forced many Ugandans to once again confront difficult questions about guilt, forgiveness, and what it truly means to move forward as a society.