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Four men accused of murdering senior prosecutor Joan Namazzi Kagezi, are this Wednesday, March 6, set to be committed to the International Crimes Division of the High Court, to stand trial.

The accused are Daniel Kisekka, 43, John Kibuuka alias Musa, 32, John Masajjage alias Brian Mubiru alias Badru alias Chongo, 50, and Nasur Abdallah Mugonole, 39.

Today, Monday, the Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions, Thomas Jatiko informed the court that investigations into the matter are complete and committal papers are ready for the purposes of sending the accused to the High Court for trial.

The accused were not produced in court, prompting Nakawa Court presided over by Chief Magistrate Elias Kakooza to direct Prison authorities to produce them in court on Wednesday, this week, for the purposes of committing them to the High Court for trial.

The suspects are battling charges of terrorism, contrary to sections 7 (1)(a) and 2 (b) of the Anti-Terrorism Act, 2002 and murder, contrary to sections 188 and 189 of the Penal Code Act.

The offences of terrorism and murder attract a maximum punishment of death on conviction.

Kagezi, the former acting Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), was gunned down in her vehicle on the evening of March 30, 2015, in Kiwatule, a Kampala suburb.

The assailants trailed Kagezi, the mother of four, and shot her when she stopped to buy fruits in Kiwatule, a Kampala suburb.

According to the charge sheet sanctioned by the DPP, on November 3, 2023, Kibuuka and Mugonole have been serving a jail term following their conviction for aggravated robbery, while Masajjage has been on remand pending trial on the same charge.

Kibuuka has been at Kigo Prison, while Masajjage and Mugonole have been at Kitalya Prison. On the other hand, Kisekka has been a charcoal burner and a resident of Nsanvu village in Kitimbwa Town Council, Kayunga District.

Allegations

Prosecution alleges that the four and others still at large on March 30, 2015, at Kiwatule in Nakawa Division, Kampala, with malice aforethought, unlawfully caused the death of Kagezi.

In regard to terrorism, the prosecution alleges that the accused and others still at large, to influence the Government or intimidate the public for religious, economic, or social aims indiscriminately without due regard to the safety of others who attacked Kagezi and murdered her.

At the time of her murder, Kagezi had applied for the position of a High Court judge.

She was also the lead prosecutor in the Kampala 2010 twin bombing case before Justice Alfonse Owiny-Dollo, now the Chief Justice.

Over 76 people were killed in the attacks and some of the perpetrators have since been convicted and are serving life imprisonment.