Police investigate prosecutor murder

By Vision Reporter

The lead prosecutor in the 2010 Kyadondo Rugby Club and the Ethiopian Village Restaurant in Kampala, Joan Kagezi was Monday evening shot dead in what police called an assassination.

Detectives at the scene where Kagezi was murdered Monday evening. PHOTO/Lawrence Kitatta

Onlookers gather at the murder scene after Kagezi's body was taken to Mulago. PHOTO/Lawrence Kitatta

Security personnel keep onlookers at bay as detectives work at the murder scene. PHOTO/Lawrence Kitatta

Below is the IGP's official statement.

This evening, Monday 30th March 2015, Ms. Joan Kagezi, Ag. Assistant Director of Public Prosecution, was shot dead at 7:15 pm, near her residence in Kiwatule a city suburb as she drove home with her children.

She had stopped at a fruit stall by the road side where she normally stopped to purchase fruits, when the criminals riding on a motorcycle of boxer type, red in color, stopped next to the parked vehicle and shot her twice in the neck and shoulder, through the widow on the driver’s side. She was driving the vehicle herself.

The Director of CIID, Assistant Inspector General of Police Grace Akullo who by coincidence was driving some distance behind her, was the first police officer on the scene.

She coordinated the evacuation of the deceased to Mulago hospital where she was pronounced dead on arrival. Her three children who were with her escaped unhurt.

Ms. Joan Kagezi was in charge of the International Crime Division handling international crimes such as terrorism, war crimes, and trafficking in persons.

At the time of her tragic death she was the lead prosecutor in the case of the 2010 terror suspects now before the High Court.

She was, also working with the Police in the prosecution of the suspects in the recent spate of murders, robberies and terrorism in Busoga region and Kampala. Her death is a big loss to the country.

Immediately after the shooting, the police secured the scene, and interviewed eye witnesses who have given very useful information that will assist in the hunt for the murderers.

We call upon any member of the public who may have any information relating to the incident to give it to the police, any other security officer or LC official.

In spite of this tragic incident of criminality, we call upon the public to remain calm but vigilant.

The murder of Joan Kagezi should only serve to increase our resolve to hunt down and bring to justice all those elements bent on disturbing the security and development of our country.

GEN. KALE KAYIHURA
INSPECTOR GENERAL OF POLICE
30TH MARCH 2015

Meanwhile a source in the judiciary says Senior Principal State Attorney Joan Kagezi was set to be appointed a judge of the High Court.

Kagezi was head of the International Crimes Division in the office of the Directorate of Public Prosecution. She was the lead attorney in the high profile case of the 2010 Kyadondo twin bomb suspects.


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