By Insight Post Uganda
Kampala-Uganda
The nation has witnessed a new development in the case of the murder of former Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions, Joan Namazzi Kagezi.
The Nakawa Chief Magistrate’s Court has charged four individuals with terrorism and Kagezi’s murder, a crime that shook the nation in 2015.
The accused individuals facing charges in this high-profile case include Daniel Kisekka Kiwanuka, a peasant farmer and charcoal burner residing in Nsanvu village, Kitimbwa Town Council, Kayunga District.
Others are John Kibuuka (alias Musa), a convict at Kigo Prisons, Nasur Abdallah Mugongole, another convict held at Kitalya Mini Max Prisons in Mityana District and John Masajjage (alias Mubiru Brian, alias Badru, alias Chongo), who is being incarcerated at Kitalya Prison.
Court Proceedings
The accused individuals arrived at the court under tight security provided by the counter-terrorism police and heavily armed prison warders.
They were held in the court cells for approximately an hour before being brought into a packed courtroom. The audience included over 30 prosecutors and three members of Kagezi’s family.
However, only Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions Thomas Jatiko and Chief State Attorney Lillian Omara Alum appeared at the bar to prosecute the case, while other prosecutors planned to register later.
The court heard that on March 30, 2015, the accused individuals, along with others who are still at large, were responsible for the brutal murder of Kagezi in Kiwatule, Nakawa Division, Kampala District.
They were charged with the intent to influence the government or intimidate the public through this heinous act. The charges included indiscriminate attacking and murdering Kagezi, a dedicated public institution officer.
Legal Proceedings
Since Chief Magistrate Erias Kakooza did not have jurisdiction over the case, the accused individuals, who were not represented by lawyers during the proceedings, have been remanded to their respective prisons until November 20, 2023.
This remand period will allow investigations to continue into the case. It’s important to note that the accused individuals did not have legal representation during the court appearance.
Deputy Spokesperson of the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Irene Nakimbugwe, confirmed that the convicts in this case had previously been incarcerated for aggravated robbery.
Their prior criminal records raise questions about their involvement in this high-profile case and the possibility of them being part of a larger criminal network.
Investigation Status
The details regarding the origins and plans of the suspects to commit the crime were not disclosed during the court proceedings.
Jacqueline Okui, Spokesperson for the office of the DPP, referred inquiries about these aspects to Police Spokesperson Fred Enanga.
Enanga, however, labelled the investigation as “protected” and reserved further details for prosecution.
This secrecy suggests that there may be ongoing sensitive aspects of the investigation that have not been revealed to the public.
END
English 