Years Later, Four Charged in Joan Kagezi’s Assassination to Stand Trial

After a prolonged investigation, the International Crimes Division of the High Court in Kampala has formally charged four men with terrorism and murder in connection with the 2015 assassination of Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Joan Kagezi.

Lady Justice Alice Komuhangi Khaukha confirmed the charges against Daniel Kisekka Kiwanuka, John Kibuuka (also known as Musa), John Masajjage (also known as Brian Mubiru, Badru, and Chongo), and Nasur Abdalla Mugonole, marking a significant step in the long-awaited pursuit of justice for Kagezi’s killing.

The accused face charges of terrorism, under Section 6 (1)(a) and (2)(b) of the Anti-Terrorism Act 2002, and murder, under Sections 188 and 189 of the Penal Code Act. These charges follow a pre-trial hearing designed to assess the strength of the prosecution’s evidence.

In a ruling delivered on Monday, Justice Khaukha determined that the prosecution had presented sufficient evidence to warrant a full trial. “The death of Assistant DPP Joan Namazzi Kagezi is not contested. It is also not contested that the death was unlawful and caused with malice aforethought,” she stated. “This, therefore, means that murder as an ingredient of the offence of terrorism is not contested.”

The judge emphasized that eyewitness testimony and post-mortem reports confirmed Kagezi’s death resulted from gunshot wounds, solidifying the murder charge as an integral component of the broader terrorism offense.

Assistant DPP Thomas Jatiko, leading the prosecution, argued that Kagezi’s murder was a calculated act of terrorism aimed at intimidating the government and the public. He highlighted Kagezi’s prominent role in prosecuting high-profile cases, the public nature of her killing, and the violent execution, all designed to instill fear and disrupt ongoing legal proceedings.

“The attack also created a lot of fear in the public. Therefore, it is my finding that the evidence disclosed by the prosecution is sufficient to prove this ingredient to the required standard,” Justice Khaukha ruled, concurring with the prosecution’s assessment that the murder was intended to send a stark message and generate widespread fear.

Furthermore, Justice Khaukha affirmed that the prosecution had presented compelling evidence directly linking the four accused to the crime. “Having considered all the evidence disclosed by the prosecution, I find that there is sufficient evidence to establish substantial grounds to believe that each of the accused persons committed each of the crimes they are charged with,” she stated.

Joan Kagezi, a dedicated prosecutor, was gunned down in broad daylight in March 2015, leaving the nation in shock and prompting widespread calls for justice. Her murder, widely perceived as an attack on the rule of law, has remained a focal point of public concern.

The confirmation of charges now paves the way for a full trial, where the four accused will face rigorous scrutiny of the evidence against them. The proceedings are expected to draw significant public and media attention, as Uganda seeks to bring closure to this high-profile and deeply unsettling case.