Former city businessman Muhammad Ssebuwufu, proprietor of Pine Car Bond in Kampala, has been released from prison after receiving a presidential pardon from President Yoweri Museveni.
Ssebuwufu was convicted in 2019 for the kidnap and murder of Betty Donah Katusabe over a debt of Shs10 million. He was initially sentenced to 40 years in prison. However, in 2025, a panel of three justices of the Court of Appeal of Uganda reduced his sentence to 18 years after re-evaluating the evidence and determining that the trial court’s punishment was excessively harsh.
By the time of his release, Ssebuwufu had served 11 years at Luzira Prison.
Sources indicate that his release follows the exercise of presidential prerogative of mercy, a constitutional power that allows the Head of State to pardon or reduce sentences of convicted individuals.
There have been claims circulating that during his incarceration, Ssebuwufu advised certain inmates—particularly those associated with the National Unity Platform (NUP)—to abandon opposition political activities and support the government in order to secure their freedom. However, there has been no official confirmation linking such reports to the decision to grant him a pardon.
Authorities have not publicly detailed the specific grounds upon which the pardon was granted.
Ssebuwufu’s release is likely to spark public debate, given the gravity of the offence for which he was convicted and the broader discussions surrounding the use of presidential clemency powers.
