Kagezi murder: Army deserter convicted, jailed 35 years

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The International Crimes Division of the High Court has sentenced Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) deserter Daniel Kisekka Kiwanuka to 35 years in prison for killing Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions Joan Kagezi.

On May 19, 2025, a panel of four judges, led by Justice Michael Elubu, handed down the sentence after Kisekka pleaded guilty to the murder under a plea-bargain agreement signed with the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

Kisekka admitted to participating in the planning and execution of Kagezi’s assassination on March 30, 2015, by confessing to co-ordinating with co-accused individuals, cleaning and distributing the murder weapon and being part of the surveillance team on the day of the murder.

They orchestrated Kagezi’s murder under alleged promises of up to $200,000 (about shillings 700 million at the time), though they only received shillings 500,000 each.

Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Thomas Jatiko highlighted the murder’s chilling effect on the justice system, especially since Kagezi was handling sensitive terrorism cases.

He said Kagezi’s children revealed deep psychological trauma and orphanhood in their victim impact statement to the court.

Kisekka apologised to the court, government, and Kagezi's children, but the judges emphasised the gravity of the crime, and Kisekka was informed he has 14 days to appeal if he's not satisfied with the sentence.

Trial to commence

This means that the trial will now commence against John Kibuuka aka Musa, John Massajjage aka Mubiru Brian and Nasur Abdallah Mugonole.

Kagezi was shot dead at about 7:15pm on March 30, 2015, in Kiwatule, a city suburb, as she drove home with her children.

She had stopped at a fruit stall by the roadside to purchase fruits when assailants riding on a motorcycle opened fire at her car.

The autopsy report indicated that she was shot twice in the neck and shoulder, through the window on the driver’s seat.

The court heard that the telephone clusters for mobile network for all active MTN and Airtel mobile telephone numbers which were within the vicinity of the scene of the crime shortly before and at the time the deceased was murdered showed that the mobile phones allegedly belonging to Kibuuka and Massajjage were located within Kiwatule.

Confession

The court heard that when Kiwanuka was arrested by the Police in Luwero over theft, it was discovered while in custody that he was wanted in connection with the murder of the deceased and was transferred to Kampala for interviewing.

Subsequently, Kiwanuka confessed to having participated in the murder of Kagezi together with his co-accused.

Kiwanuka informed the investigators that he and Mugonole formed the backup team for Kibuuka and Massajjage to clear the escape route after the murder of the deceased.

Kiwanuka further revealed that he, together with Kibuuka and Mugonole, went to a sorcerer in Kayunga to perform rituals on them to protect and prevent them from being arrested for the murder of the deceased.

According to the prosecution, the sorcerer identified by Kiwanuka was traced and it was discovered that he was on remand in Luzira Prison on allegations of committing an offence of defilement.

When interviewed regarding Kiwanuka’s allegations, the sorcerer confirmed that he had performed rituals on Kiwanuka, Kibuuka, and Mugonole immediately after the murder of the deceased and that the three accused persons left his shrine after he had been paid for his services.

The court heard that an identification parade was conducted at the Police and the sorcerer identified Kiwanuka, Kibuuka, and Mugonole.