The High Court of Uganda, sitting at the International Crimes Division on Monday, May 19, 2025, recorded a guilty plea from Kisekka Daniel Kiwanuka, 47, in connection with the 2015 assassination of Senior Principal State Attorney Joan Kagezi.
Kisekka, a former corporal in the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), entered the plea under a plea bargain arrangement and accepted a proposed sentence of 35 years’ imprisonment.
Kisekka admitted to taking part in the premeditated murder of Kagezi on March 30, 2015. He had spent years evading arrest, living discreetly in Kayunga District until his capture in October 2023 on unrelated charges in Luwero District. That arrest led to his identification as a suspect in the Kagezi case.
Assassination Plot and Execution
Court records revealed that the killing was part of a meticulously orchestrated operation allegedly commissioned by an undisclosed high-profile individual.
The plot involved former UPDF soldiers and known hardcore criminals, including Kisekka, Kibuuka John, Nasur Abdallah Mugonole, and Massajjage John.
According to the plea bargain facts, the conspirators were promised USD 200,000 for the murder, with each receiving an initial payment of UGX 500,000.
Kisekka confessed that on the day of the murder, he and Nasur acted as a backup team, while Kibuuka and Massajjage executed the shooting.
The murder took place in Kiwatule, Kampala, in full view of Kagezi’s children. Kibuuka allegedly pulled the trigger, shooting Kagezi twice in the neck as she sat in her official vehicle.
Breakthrough and Confession
After years of stalled investigations, the case saw renewed momentum in 2023 following new intelligence. During interrogation, Kisekka confessed and provided crucial information that helped authorities reconstruct the crime scene and confirm the involvement of his co-accused.
Investigators also uncovered the involvement of a witch doctor, who reportedly performed protective rituals on the accused shortly after the killing to prevent their arrest and “silence the case.”
Criminal Background
Kisekka’s criminal history dates back to 2008 when he was charged with aggravated robbery before the General Court Martial.
He had previously escaped from custody at Makindye Military Barracks after pleading not guilty and had been at large since deserting the UPDF in 2006, allegedly stealing weapons used in the assassination.
Despite past arrests, Kisekka had not been officially convicted until now.
Court Observations and Sentence
In confirming the 35-year prison sentence, the court cited several aggravating factors, including the brutal nature of the killing, the presence of Kagezi’s children, the murder-for-hire motive, and the conspirators’ blatant disregard for human life and public safety.
The panel of judges presiding over the case included Justice Michael Elubu (Head of Panel), Justice Stephen Mubiru, Justice Dr. Winfred Nabisinde, and Justice Celia Nagawa.
Legacy of Joan Kagezi
At the time of her assassination, Joan Kagezi was leading the International Crimes Department in the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions. She had prosecuted numerous high-profile terrorism and war crimes cases.
Her murder sent shockwaves through Uganda’s legal fraternity and highlighted the urgent need for enhanced security for prosecutors and judicial officers.
Ongoing Prosecution and Government Response
The prosecution of the remaining accused, Kibuuka John, Massajjage John, and Nasur Abdallah Mugonole is ongoing.
Jacquelyn Okui, Public Relations Officer for the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), described the conviction as a landmark in the fight against organized crime.
“This landmark decision restores public confidence in the investigative and prosecutorial ability to pursue justice, regardless of the passage of time. It demonstrates how plea bargaining, when used strategically, can help dismantle complex criminal networks. The case affirms the ODPP’s unwavering commitment to accountability, even when justice targets those embedded in powerful or clandestine circles,” she stated.
Okui emphasized that the ruling sends a strong message: no individual involved in organized crime regardless of military background or alleged mystical protection can escape the reach of the law.
She also acknowledged the pivotal role played by the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) of the Uganda Police Force and the Internal Security Organisation (ISO) in gathering the intelligence that led to Kisekka’s arrest and conviction.
“As the ODPP continues to handle high-profile prosecutions, this conviction rings a clear bell against impunity and underscores the importance of defending legal officers who courageously confront terror and other serious crimes,” she concluded.
The Source Reports.
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