A medical report from Murchison Bay Hospital in Luzira Prison has dismissed torture allegations made by former Flying Squad operative Abdulnoor Ssemujju, also known as Minaana.
He is jointly charged with former police officer Nixon Agasirwe in the 2015 murder of former Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions, Joan Kagezi Namazzi.
Minaana had told the court during his first appearance on June 24, 2025, that he was tortured by state operatives in a safe house to force a confession implicating former IGP Kale Kayihura and a foreign entity in Kagezi’s assassination.
He appeared in court limping and unable to walk or sit without support. Chief Magistrate Daphne Nayebare subsequently ordered a medical examination to assess his claims.
However, a report dated July 7, 2025, authored by Dr. Charles Kajoba Kimuli of Murchison Bay Hospital, found no signs of physical or internal injuries consistent with torture.
The report indicates that Minaana has a medical history of peptic ulcer disease and chronic back pain, for which he is receiving treatment.
“While in prison, he has been managed for chronic back pain and peptic ulcer disease using analgesics and anti-ulcer drugs, with improvement,” the report states.
Chief State Attorney Richard Birivumbuka, while submitting the report to court, accused Minaana of staging a performance to gain sympathy and described his earlier conduct in court as dramatic.
He asked the court to expunge all records alleging torture by state agencies, asserting the report showed Minaana could stand and walk unaided.
Minaana, however, contested the report, claiming he was never examined by a medical doctor and only received Panadol from fellow inmates. He maintained that he was detained in unidentified safe houses and has never been held in formal police custody.
Magistrate Nayebare clarified that the medical report aimed to determine Minaana’s ability to follow court proceedings and assess the torture claims.
She noted that the findings showed no evidence of torture or injury but added that Minaana could challenge the report during the trial.
Minaana and Agasirwe were remanded until August 3, 2025, as investigations continue. They are among six individuals facing charges in various courts over Kagezi’s murder.
Others include John Kibuuka, John Masajjagge, and Nasur Abudallah Mugonole, who are already on trial at the High Court.
The case against Minaana and Agasirwe intensified following a guilty plea from Daniel Kisekka Kiwanuka, who confessed that Agasirwe paid them to carry out the assassination. Kiwanuka was sentenced to 35 years in prison for the murder.
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