It's been nearly a decade since the tragic evening of May 30 when Senior Principal State Attorney Joan Kagezi was brutally shot dead in Kiwatule, a Kampala suburb. The high-profile prosecutor, returning home with her children, fell victim to assailants who ambushed her parked vehicle, leaving her fatally wounded.
The incident sent shockwaves through the nation, with Kagezi's pivotal role in prosecuting terrorism cases amplifying its significance. Scheduled to appear in court the following day for the trial of individuals implicated in the 2010 Kampala bombings, claimed by Somalia's al-Shabaab terrorists, her untimely demise reverberated both locally and internationally.
The initial investigation yielded no immediate breakthroughs, leaving Kagezi's murder shrouded in mystery for years. However, a significant turn of events emerged eight years later, shedding light on the chilling crime. In a surprising revelation within Luzira Prison, one of the suspects inadvertently disclosed crucial details of the assassination to fellow inmates, leading to the arrest of four individuals last November.
Charged and remanded to prison, John Kibuuka, John Masajjage, Dan Kisekka, and Nasur Abdallah Mugonole were implicated in the meticulously planned hit on Kagezi. According to the 2023 Annual Crime Report, these suspects were allegedly contracted for the assassination, receiving a down payment of Shs500,000 each with promises of $200,000 (Shs770 million) upon completion of the task.
Despite the breakthrough in apprehending the perpetrators, questions linger regarding the mastermind behind Kagezi's murder. The motive, seemingly linked to her relentless pursuit of justice in terrorism cases, underscores the dangers faced by those challenging extremist ideologies.
Kagezi's legacy as a dedicated public servant, lives on as her tragic death remains etched in Uganda's history of combating terrorism. The resolution of her case brings a measure of closure to a nation grappling with a series of targeted assassinations, marking a step towards justice for victims and their families.
Joan Namazzi Kagezi (14 July 1967 – 30 March 2015) was a Ugandan lawyer and prosecutor. Born in Rakai District, she pursued her education, graduating with a Bachelor of Laws degree from Makerere University in 1990 and obtaining a Diploma in Legal Practice in 1992. Throughout her 23-year career, she served in various capacities within the Ugandan government, starting as a land officer in 1992 and rising to the position of assistant director of public prosecutions. She was assassinated in 2015 while serving as head of the International Criminal Division in the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs.
