Former IGP Kayihura behind Joan Kagezi murder, claims suspect

What the report says

The Observer reports that Nasur Abdallah Mugonole, one of three men currently on trial over the 2015 killing of former assistant Director of Public Prosecutions Joan Kagezi Namazzi, has alleged in court that former Inspector General of Police Gen Kale Kayihura masterminded the assassination. Kagezi was shot dead on March 30, 2015, near her home in Kiwatule, Kampala. Mugonole made the claims while giving his defence before the International Crimes Division of the High Court in Kampala.

According to the report, Mugonole told court he knew of the plot but did not take part in the actual shooting. He alleged that police officer Hamisi Kakaire was the gunman and that a firearm was supplied by former Flying Squad commander Nixon Agasirwe, who is separately charged in relation to the case alongside Abdul Noor Ssemujju. Mugonole also claimed Kagezi had documents allegedly linking Kayihura to violent activities and illegal firearms dealings, and that she refused an alleged Shs1 billion offer to surrender them. These are courtroom allegations and have not been tested through cross-examination.

The Observer says Mugonole further alleged that Kagezi’s phone was stolen before the killing and fitted with a tracking device, and he linked similar alleged methods to other later killings. The prosecution is expected to cross-examine him when proceedings resume.

The three accused on trial are John Kibuuka, Mugonole and John Masajjage. A fourth suspect, Daniel Kisekka Kiwanuka, entered a plea bargain, was sentenced to 35 years and became a state witness. Judges recently ruled the remaining accused had a case to answer, moving the trial into the defence stage.