KAMPALA– The pursuit of justice for slain Senior Prosecutor Joan Namazzi Kagezi has reached a critical juncture.
Yesterday, March 24, 2025, the Hon. Lady Justice Alice Komuhangi Khaukha of the High Court’s International Crimes Division confirmed terrorism and murder charges against four individuals accused of orchestrating her assassination. This ruling paves the way for their trial, nearly a decade after the tragic killing.
The accused, Identified as Kisekka Daniel Kiwanuka (A1), Kibuuka John aka Musa (A2), Massajjage John aka Mubiru Brian aka Badru aka Chongo (A3), and Nasur Abdallah Mugonole (A4), face charges of terrorism and murder. The charges were formally read to them in both English and Luganda during the pre-trial hearing.
However, they were not required to plead at this stage, as pleas would only be entered at trial.
On the evening of March 30, 2015, Uganda was rocked by the brutal killing of Joan Namazzi Kagezi. A fearless Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions, she was ambushed by gunmen on motorcycles while stopping to buy fruits. Her children were present at the scene as she was shot at close range.
She was rushed to Mulago Referral Hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival. The killing sent shockwaves throughout the judiciary, law enforcement, and the entire nation.
During the pre-trial hearing, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) was represented by Assistant DPP Jatiko Thomas and Chief State Attorney Lillian Omara Alum.
The prosecution’s key evidence was to the effect that in April 2015, intelligence led to the arrest of Kibuuka John (A2), who confessed to participating in the assassination alongside Massajjage John (A3). A3 evaded capture until August 2023, when authorities located him. In October 2023, Kisekka Daniel (A1) was arrested in connection with a different crime. During interrogation, he confessed to involvement in Kagezi’s murder, implicating A2, A3, and A4. A4 was already serving a prison sentence for unrelated offences when his connection to the case was established.
Witnesses reported that A3 had boasted about his role in the murder, revealing that the attack was planned in the Democratic Republic of Congo and financially motivated. Prosecutors argued that Kagezi was targeted because of her role in prosecuting high-profile terrorism cases, making her assassination a calculated attempt to intimidate the judiciary and disrupt justice.
After the murder, A1, A2, and A4 reportedly sought protection from a witch doctor, believing the rituals would prevent their capture. The witch doctor later corroborated this during an identification parade. Analysis of phone records placed A2 and A3 near the crime scene at the time of the assassination, corroborating witness accounts and further implicating them in the attack. Medical examinations confirmed that all accused individuals were mentally fit to stand trial, eliminating any possibility of diminished responsibility.
The Hon. Lady Justice Alice Komuhangi Khaukha ruled that the assassination was meant to influence government proceedings and intimidate the public, particularly the legal community; the murder took place in a public space, reinforcing the prosecution’s argument that it was an indiscriminate act of terror and the evidence was sufficiently linked to the accused, justifying their terrorism prosecution.
The court confirmed that Joan Kagezi’s killing was unlawful and premeditated, meeting all the legal requirements for a murder charge. Given the established intent and direct involvement of the accused, the murder charge was upheld against all suspects.
With the charges now confirmed, the accused will stand trial in the High Court. The Hon. Lady Justice Khaukha directed the prosecution to amend the indictment to reflect the correct legal provisions as outlined in the Revised Seventh Edition of Uganda’s laws.
This ruling marks a significant step in Uganda’s fight against targeted attacks on legal professionals. The brutal assassination of Joan Kagezi remains a stark reminder of the risks faced by those seeking justice. As the nation watches, the upcoming trial is expected to shed more light on the full extent of the conspiracy behind Joan Kagezi’s killing and deliver long-overdue justice.
