The Nakawa Chief Magistrate’s Court witnessed a dramatic and heavily secured appearance of four individuals, two convicts, and two prisoners, who are facing charges related to terrorism and the murder of the former Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions, Joan Namazzi Kagezi. The accused, whose identities have been disclosed as Daniel Kisekka Kiwanuka, John Kibuuka (alias Musa), Nasur Abdallah Mugongole, and John Masajjage (alias Mubiru Brian, alias Badru, alias Chongo), arrived at the court under tight security by the counter-terrorism police and heavily armed prison warders.
Kagezi, a respected public institution officer, met a tragic end on March 30, 2015, when the accused, along with others who are still at large, allegedly gunned her down in Kiwatule, Nakawa Division, Kampala District. The charges brought against them include indiscriminate attack and murder with the intent to influence the government or intimidate the public.
Chief Magistrate Erias Kakooza presided over the hearing, with Assistant Director Thomas Jatiko of Public Prosecutions and Chief State Attorney Lillian Omara Alum leading the prosecution. More than 30 prosecutors and three members of Kagezi's family were present in the courtroom to witness this high-profile case. The accused individuals, who did not have legal representation during the hearing, were remanded to their respective prisons until November 20, 2023, pending ongoing investigations.
Irene Nakimbugwe, the Deputy Spokesperson of the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), confirmed that the convicts involved in this case had previously been incarcerated for aggravated robbery. The nature of their past convictions raises concerns about their potential involvement in this high-profile murder case.
The specifics of the suspects' origins and their alleged plans to commit the crime were not disclosed during the hearing. Jacqueline Okui, Spokesperson for the office of the DPP, referred inquiries about this matter to Police Spokesperson Fred Enanga, who labeled the investigation as "protected" and stated that further details would be reserved for prosecution.
In contrast to President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni's previous assertion that Kagezi's real killers were located in Europe, Irene Nakimbugwe assured the public that the office is well-prepared to prosecute the case and has identified the actual suspects. This development follows eight years of investigations that had previously failed to lead to any arrests, providing new hope for justice in this long-standing and high-profile case.
