The journey to securing justice for the brutal murder of Assistant Director of Public Prosecution, Joan Kagezi started on Monday with the arraignment of suspects before court.
The suspects include John Kibuuka, John Masajjage, Dan Kisekka and Nasur Abdullah who have been on the run and in hiding since March 30, 2015 when Kagezi was gunned down in Kiwatule, Kampala as she stepped out of her car buy fruits from a roadside stall.
Kagezi’s murder shook the nation. The brazen attack sent shockwaves in the judiciary at a time the state was cracking down on acts of terrorism and assassinations of eminent persons in Uganda.
The suspects were arraigned at the Nakawa Chief Magistrate Court where Magistrate Elias Kakooza read to the two counts of offences of terrorism and murder.
The prosecution led by Assistant DPP Thomas Jatiko, Chief State Attorney Lillian Omara and a team of over 40 other eminent prosecutors of the Office of DPP, informed court that the accused persons were presented to court so that the charges are read and communicated to them.
The prosecution alleges that on 30th March 2015, the accused persons for purposes of influencing the government or intimidating the public for social or economic aim, indiscriminately involved themselves in the attack and consequent murder of Assistant DPP Joan Namazzi Kagezi, a person in a public institution.
The charges consented to by Jane Frances Abodo, the Director of Public Prosecutions, further indicate that, the accused persons with malice aforethought, unlawfully caused the death of the said Joan Namazzi Kagezi.
The two children of the late Joan Namazzi Kagezi were present in court to witness the court appearance of the persons charged with the murder of their dear late mother.
The matter was adjourned to 20th November 2023 for the mention of the case, wherein the Prosecution intends to take further steps towards the prosecution of the case.
Joan was gunned down in her vehicle before her children.
At the time of her demise, she was prosecuting the famous 2010 Terrorism Twin Bombing case at the High Court of Kampala before Judge Alfonse Owiny- Dollo, the current Chief Justice of Uganda.
Uganda Police said the details about the murder plot and related conspiracies, will be availed during the prosecution and hearing of the case.
