Kampala- The International Crimes Division of the High Court has ruled that the three persons accused of murdering Joan Kagezi, the Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions have a case to answer in relation to the murder that happened on March 30, 2015.
This came after , court evaluating evidence which was produced by witnesses presented by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), that it was sufficient to place the accused persons on their defence.
The accused persons who have been ordered to defend themselves are;Kibuuka John, Massajjage John, and Nasur Abdallah Mugonole.
The Court further found that the evidence presented sufficiently established that Joan Kagezi was unlawfully killed and that the attack was carried out for economic gain.
It was also Court’s observation that the evidence was to the effect that the accused shot indiscriminately, demonstrating disregard for the safety of members of the public.
However, Court acquitted the group on charges of Terrorism after a finding that the prosecution had not adduced sufficient evidence to prove that the killing was committed with the intention of influencing the government or a section of the public, as required to sustain the charge of terrorism.
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions was represented in the matter by Thomas Jatiko, Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions, and Richard Birivumbuka, Chief State Attorney, on behalf of the State.
The ruling doesn’t mean that the matter has been concluded, however it is still ongoing and before resuming, the accused persons will be given an opportunity to decide which format they will be using to defend themselves. They can opt to keep quiet (stay silent), Give testimony on oath and be subjected to questions through cross Examination or may decide to give evidence without taking oath, here they are not subjected to questions from the Prosecution.
The trial will now proceed to the defence hearing, which will take place from July 13-17, 2026.
Prosecution contends, that the accused persons with others still at large, on 30th March 2015, at Kiwatule, Nakawa Division, Kampala district with malice afore sought caused the death of Assistant DPP Joan Kagezi.
