DETAILS: Kagezi Assassination: UPDF Deserter Convicted After Decade-Long Hunt

The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) has secured a guilty plea and conviction in the high-profile case involving the 2015 assassination of former Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions, Joan Namazzi Kagezi. The breakthrough comes a decade after the tragic killing that shook Uganda’s legal and security community.

Sitting at the International Crimes Division of the High Court, a panel of four judges on Monday accepted a guilty plea from Kisekka Daniel Kiwanuka, 47, a former corporal in the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF). Kisekka admitted to his role in the premeditated murder of Kagezi under a plea bargain arrangement that will see him serve 35 years in prison.

Kagezi, who was serving as head of the International Crimes Department in the ODPP, was gunned down on March 30, 2015, in Kiwatule, Kampala, in full view of her children as she sat in her official vehicle. Her assassination, widely believed to be connected to her work prosecuting high-profile terrorism and war crimes cases, stunned the nation and triggered intense but protracted investigations.

Inside the Assassination Plot

Court records reveal that Kagezi’s killing was the result of a carefully planned criminal conspiracy, allegedly commissioned by an undisclosed high-profile figure. The assassination team consisted of former military personnel and known hardcore criminals: Kisekka Daniel Kiwanuka, Kibuuka John, Nasur Abdallah Mugonole, and Massajjage John.

According to agreed facts presented during the plea bargain proceedings, the group was promised USD 200,000 to execute the hit. They were each paid an advance of UGX 500,000. On the day of the murder, Kisekka and Mugonole acted as backup while Kibuuka and Massajjage carried out the actual shooting. Kibuuka is reported to have fired the fatal shots.

Years of Evasion Ends in Arrest

Despite years of stalled progress, the investigation gained momentum in 2023 following new intelligence. Kisekka, who had been living under the radar in Kayunga District, was arrested in Luwero on unrelated charges. During interrogation, he confessed to his involvement in the assassination and provided critical details that allowed investigators to reconstruct the crime and identify the full network of perpetrators.

Investigators also located a witchdoctor who admitted to performing rituals intended to protect the killers from arrest and “silence the case.”

Kisekka’s criminal record dates back to 2008, when he was charged with aggravated robbery before the General Court Martial. After escaping from Makindye Military Barracks, he remained a fugitive and continued to elude justice for years. The weapons used in Kagezi’s murder were reportedly among those stolen during his desertion from the UPDF in 2006.

Court’s Ruling and Wider Implications

The court, led by Justice Michael Elubu and comprising Justices Stephen Mubiru, Dr. Winfred Nabisinde, and Celia Nagawa, accepted the plea bargain and confirmed the 35-year sentence. In their remarks, the judges cited several aggravating factors: the gruesome nature of the crime, the presence of Kagezi’s children at the scene, the monetary motive, and the calculated disregard for human life.

Prosecution in the case was led by Thomas Jatiko, Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions.

Ongoing Pursuit of Justice

The case against the remaining accused—Kibuuka, Massajjage, and Mugonole—remains open and is being actively pursued. Authorities emphasize that today’s conviction represents a firm stance against organized crime and impunity.

“This conviction sends a clear message that the rule of law will prevail, regardless of how long it takes or how deeply rooted the criminals are,” said Jacquelyn Okui, Public Relations Officer for the ODPP.

She added that the case underscores the importance of safeguarding judicial officers and prosecutors, whose roles are pivotal in the fight against serious crimes like terrorism and organized violence.

A Tribute to Joan Kagezi

Joan Kagezi was a respected prosecutor who had led Uganda’s legal fight against terrorism, notably handling cases related to the 2010 Kampala bombings. Her assassination was widely believed to be linked to her fearless prosecution of sensitive cases.

As Uganda marks this legal breakthrough, the conviction of Kisekka not only restores faith in the country’s judicial system but also serves as a powerful tribute to Kagezi’s legacy of courage and service.

The ODPP has extended appreciation to the Uganda Police Force’s Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) and the Internal Security Organisation (ISO) for their role in gathering intelligence and evidence that led to this landmark development.