Why army court freed police boss accused of murdering lawyer Mukisa
Mukisa was gunned down on May 30, 2024, at 11:00 pm while at his home in Kitiko-Birongo, Ndejje division, Wakiso district.
Superintendent of Police Vincent Irama Urri has been freed by the General Court Martial at Makindye in Kampala after the state withdrew charges of murdering Lawyer Ronnie Mukisa against him. (Credit: Douglas Mubiru)
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Superintendent of Police Vincent Irama Urri, 45, the deputy commander of Kampala Metropolitan Police North Region, who had been accused of murdering city lawyer Ronnie Mukisa, has been freed.
Mukisa was gunned down on May 30, 2024, at 11:00 pm while at his home in Kitiko-Birongo, Ndejje division, Wakiso district.
Col Asha Patra, who chaired the General Court Martial (GCM) proceedings at Makindye in Kampala on Wednesday (March 18, 2026), freed Irama after the Uganda People’s Defence Forces Director of Prosecutions, Col Raphael Mugisha, withdrew all charges against him.
In their submission before court, prosecutors Captain Gift Mubehamwe, Second Lieutenants Anthony Phillip Olupot and Regina Nanzala said they had instructions from their superior, Mugisha, to discontinue charges against accused number four, Irama.
The prosecutors told court that their position was supported by a nolle prosequi dated March 18, 2026, and signed by Mugisha, the UPDF Director of Prosecutions.
“Take note that the Government of the Republic of Uganda intends that the proceedings against the accused persons Vincent Irama Urri shall not continue,” read part of a nolle prosequi signed by Mugisha.
He added, “This nolle prosequi is meant to protect the interests of the State in that, should further evidence be realised against the accused persons in future, they stand to be re-arrested and charged based on the same facts.”
This prompted Col Patra to free Irama, saying, “The charges against you are discontinued, and you are hereby set free unless held on other lawful charges.”
The case was adjourned to April 8, 2026, for mention.
Co-accused to stand trial
However, prosecutors said the remaining five accused persons will stand trial, noting that investigations are still ongoing.
“In respect of the remaining accused persons, investigations are still ongoing, and we seek an adjustment to April 8, 2026,” Mubehamwe said.
The five remaining suspects are UPDF officers Corporal Geoffrey Mark Anyesa, 51, a resident of Kisasi, Kulambiro in Nakawa Division, and Sergeant Rashid Ayup Okot, 33, residing at Kafunda Kazo, Nabweru in Nansana Municipality.
Others are civilians Mzee Josebert Hayeza, 51, Robert Irama Kareodu, 50, and his girlfriend Brenda Cathy Nalwoga, 29, both residents of Kisasi.
In the dock at the General Court Martial are suspects on charges of causing the death of City lawyer Ronnie Mukisa. (Credit: Douglas Mubiru)
Anyesa and Nalwoga, the only female suspects among the accused, are on bail, while the others remain in custody at Kitalya Government Prison and Makindye Military Police Quarter Guard.
The charge
The prosecution alleges that Anyesa, Ayup, Hayeza, Kareodu and Nalwoga, on or around May 30, 2023, at about 2300 hours in Katiko, Wakiso District, with malice aforethought, unlawfully caused the death of Mukisa.
Background and arrest
Preliminary investigations indicate that Mukisa was killed over allegations that he swindled $1m (sh3.7b) from his business partners, who are among the suspects.
Court documents state that Mukisa’s associates Kareodu and Nalwoga, who denied any wrongdoing before the GCM, allegedly hired Cpl Anyesa and Sgt Ayup to carry out the killing.
Anyesa and Ayup reportedly fled from DR Congo, where they had been deployed under Operation Shujaa, before completing the mission.