FRANKLIN KAROKORA: Rwakasisi must seek true forgiveness, not dodge murder conviction

Following the National Prayer Breakfast on forgiveness, OPED author Franklin G. Karokora challenges Chris Rwakasisi to stop dodging his mass murder conviction and show remorse to the families of the six victims.

Chris Rutimbirayo Rwakasisi CMM

Chris Rwakasisi was on June 30th 1988 convicted on six counts of kidnap with intent to murder and sentenced to death. (H.C.CR.S Case no.17/87 ruling by the Hon.Justice I. Mukanza dated 30th day of June,1988)

Chris Rwakasisi appealed, on 19th March 1991 the Supreme Court upheld the conviction and sentence. Chris Rwakasisi, Elias Wanyama V. Uganda (1991) UGSC 2 (19 March 1991) Coram: H.G Plat J.S.C, E.E Seaton J.S.C, S.T Manyindo D.C.J

The persons murdered were:

Haji Mbiringi – prominent businessman

Eric Rwanchwende – prominent businessman

George Kananura Rwabatoto- retired Foreign Service Officer

Constantine Kabazeire-retired Magistrate

Masaki Muhumuza –business man

Kiyombo Agaba Rwanchwende – student

Brothers Samson Rutehenda and Emmanuel Mwine Rutehenda were abducted and killed at the same time but the courts went for the six.

Mass murder refers to the killing of three or more people in a single event or occurrence. With this definition, Chris Rwakasisi is indeed a convicted mass murderer.

President Y. Museveni on 20th January 2009 invoking his prerogative of mercy under Article 121 of the Constitution of Uganda pardoned Chris Rwakasisi.

Prerogative of mercy applies to a convicted prisoner and not a remanded prisoner. Mercy is on the sentence and not on the conviction. Rwakasisi is a convicted murderer (CMM).

Since Rwakasisi’s (CMM) release, he has been giving interviews narrating his life experiences. Unfortunately he keeps intentionally dodging the section of him committing mass murder, blaming the judiciary of framing him.

Let us focus on the recent contemptible exposure at the 27th National Prayer Breakfast held on October 8, 2025 at State House. The theme was “The power of forgiveness and reconciliation.” As is usual of him, the patronizing, boastful, bombastic, pompous and imperious man comes out hitting hard. Opens “forgiveness without reconciliation is absolutely pointless,” goes on to brag about his appointment as State Minister office of the President, thinking “Honorable Minister” as his name. Thinking he is bigger than God!! Goes lower into the pit demeaning the judiciary. Then mere rhetoric on forgiveness and mercy. Nothing is mentioned about mass murder!

The adage “if you come for forgiveness come with clean hands.” Doubting the judiciary stains the hands!

In this testimony at State House, he further convicted himself by stating that he was hunting the president personally in Luwero but the NRA had retreated to the Ruwenzori. What would have happened to the president if he had landed on him!? Many were not lucky.

Six prominent persons (some known to Rwakasisi CMM personally) were picked from his region (Ankole) by special force and NASA (under his docket as Director), taken to Nile Mansions (his offices and torture chambers, survivors can attest to that). The six were moved to Kireka barracks, he visited them on the evening of 19 April 1981, same evening they were hacked to death! If Rwakasisi (CMM) did not kill them, who did?

I personally (and I am not alone) witnessed Katabazi and Murungi picking one of the deceased person on that day. Katabazi introduced himself as an army officer, Murungi as a CID officer and they stated that they were sent by Rwakasisi.

To Rwakasisi (MM), the president’s mercy was on the sentence but not the ruling. Forgiveness is what H.E President Yoweri K. Museveni has shown you, please do not abuse it!

The people you were convicted of killing were parents, husbands, grandparents, in-laws, had families …. Repent, seek forgiveness and show remorse to those.

Lastly give/locate the remains of our loved ones and then rest in peace.