The High Court’s International Crimes Division has confirmed charges of terrorism and murder against four suspects accused of orchestrating the assassination of former Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions, Joan Namazzi Kagezi.
The ruling, delivered on March 24, 2025, by Hon. Lady Justice Alice Komuhangi Khaukha, marks a turning point in the long-standing pursuit of justice for one of Uganda’s most high-profile assassinations.
According to a statement released by Jacquelyn Okui, Public Relations Officer in the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), “The pursuit of justice for slain Senior Prosecutor Joan Namazzi Kagezi has reached a critical juncture.”
Justice Khaukha’s decision clears the way for the trial of Kisekka Daniel Kiwanuka (A1), Kibuuka John aka Musa (A2), Massajjage John aka Mubiru Brian aka Badru aka Chongo (A3), and Nasur Abdallah Mugonole (A4), all of whom are charged with terrorism and murder in connection with the March 30, 2015 killing.
The charges were read in both English and Luganda during the pre-trial hearing, although the accused were not required to enter pleas at this stage.
Joan Kagezi was gunned down by motorcycle-riding assailants while stopping to buy fruits, with her children witnessing the horror.
Rushed to Mulago Referral Hospital, she was declared dead on arrival. Her assassination sent shockwaves throughout Uganda’s legal and security institutions.
“The brutal assassination of Joan Kagezi remains a stark reminder of the risks faced by those seeking justice,” Okui emphasized. “This ruling marks a significant step in Uganda’s fight against targeted attacks on legal professionals.”
Assistant DPP Jatiko Thomas and Chief State Attorney Lillian Omara Alum represented the prosecution during the pre-trial proceedings.
The prosecution’s case hinges on evidence collected shortly after the assassination.
In April 2015, intelligence led to the arrest of A2, Kibuuka John, who reportedly confessed to taking part in the murder along with A3, Massajjage John. A3 remained at large until his arrest in August 2023.
Later, in October 2023, A1, Kisekka Daniel, was apprehended in connection with another offense but confessed during interrogation to participating in Kagezi’s killing and implicated the other suspects, including A4.
“A4 was already serving a prison sentence for unrelated offences when his connection to the case was established,” the ODPP statement reads.
Prosecution witnesses stated that A3 boasted about his role, saying the attack was planned in the Democratic Republic of Congo and was financially motivated.
The prosecution asserted that Kagezi was targeted due to her role in prosecuting high-profile terrorism cases—an act meant to send a chilling message to the judiciary.
The ODPP further revealed, “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.”
Additional forensic evidence placed A2 and A3 near the crime scene at the time of the assassination, bolstering witness testimony.
All four accused were found mentally fit to stand trial, eliminating the possibility of mental incapacity.
In her ruling, Justice Khaukha determined that the killing was “meant to influence government proceedings and intimidate the public, particularly the legal community.” She found that the attack’s public nature and motive qualified it as an “indiscriminate act of terror.”
The judge further ruled that “Joan Kagezi’s killing was unlawful and premeditated, meeting all the legal requirements for a murder charge.”
As such, the court upheld the murder charges against all four suspects and instructed the prosecution to amend the indictment to align with the Revised Seventh Edition of Uganda’s laws.
“With the charges now confirmed, the accused will stand trial in the High Court,” the ODPP statement concluded. “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.”
Joan Kagezi was a fearless prosecutor known for her commitment to fighting terrorism and organized crime.
Her murder, nearly a decade ago, galvanized calls for increased protection of judicial officers and exposed the risks they face in the line of duty.
The upcoming trial is expected to be one of the most closely watched in Uganda’s recent judicial history.
