BREAKTHROUGH! Eight Years Later, DPP Sanctions Charges against Joan Kagezi ‘Killers’

The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) has described latest developments in investigations into the murder of prosecutor Joan Kagezi. The ODPP, whose director is Jane Frances Abodo, has now sanctioned charges of terrorism and murder against four key suspects.

Kagezi, who was a Senior Assistant DPP and Head of the International Crimes Department in the ODPP, was killed in March 2015 by men who disappeared on bodabodas.

According to the ODPP, the probe into the killing that shook the nation seemed to have hit a snag until December 2022 when a prosecution-guided investigation was directed by DPP Abodo to establish facts that surrounded the case.

“As a result, a joint team led by the Criminal Investigation Directorate (CID) of the Uganda Police Force and comprised of CT-Police and ISO embarked on the task,” said the ODPP in a statement.

“Arising out of that long investigation, the team was able to establish the facts surrounding the murder and the ODPP being satisfied with the outcome, is ready to prosecute the key suspects in the Courts of law. Although investigations may take long in some cases, the Office of the DPP remains committed to ensuring that those suspected of involvement in crime are prosecuted in the interest of justice and for a crime free society.”

Last year, President Museveni said he knew the people who killed Kagezi and where they were hiding. (See Details Here).

Meanwhile, President Yoweri Kaguta Tibuhaburwa Museveni has revealed the names of the four suspects that will be arraigned in court to answer for charges of murder and terrorism.

“The suspects in the killing of Joan Kagezi have, finally, been arrested. They are: Kibuuka John, Masajjage John, Kissekka Dan and Nasur Abdalla. They were riding on two motor-cycles,” said Museveni as he enumerated other ‘milestones’ in efforts to dismantle terrorism. “I congratulate ISO and CID on the good work. They will soon be produced in Court.”

The president said security forces had arrested Njovu, the commander of an ADF group that killed students at a school in Lhubiriha, burnt a truck of onions and tried to attack the parked trucks on the Congo-Kasindi side, and later killed tourists and their Ugandan driver.

“This is to inform you that one of the killers of the tourists and their Ugandan driver, by the name of Njovu, has been arrested while injured. Three other terrorists have been killed from that group of 10… The remaining seven are still on the run, but we shall get them. Njovu was their commander,” said Museveni.

“The Njovu group was attacked by the UPDF marine boat on Lake Edward. They did not fully utilize their success after attacking the boat of terrorists. Otherwise, all the terrorists would have been captured. They delayed in checking the crippled boat until morning, when the seven had escaped. It was their first time to fight on water. They are perfecting their combat drills. I congratulate the marines and the CMI for the good job, some gaps in the marines’ performance, notwithstanding.”

Months ago, the nation was shocked to learn that ADF rebels had killed tens of students at a school in Kasese. Some of the school owners were later arrested after it emerged that there had been some wrangles over ownership over the institution. (See Details Here and There).