Prosecutor Joan Kagezi’s murder won't scare us, says DPP

The murder of Senior Principal State Attorney Joan Kagezi will not scare the directorate of Public Prosecution from doing their work and bringing criminals to justice, DPP Mike Chibita has vowed.
Dr Chibita who, on Tuesday morning visited the scene where Ms Kagezi was murdered from said the DPP’s office has over 300 dedicated state attorneys ready to prosecute suspects in the interest of justice.
“As a directorate (DPP) and Judiciary as a whole, this (Kagezi’s murder) took us by surprise. It is the first of its kind but it will not stop us from prosecuting criminals. In fact, it has given us more courage to ensure that justice prevails in this country,” he said.
He further noted that his office has received a number of applications from private practicing lawyers interested in serving as state prosecutors.
According to Dr Chibita, the cases that were being handled by the deceased will be handed over to another state attorney who will continue with the prosecution process until justice is served.
“We will allow police to continue with its investigations as we wait for the suspects to be arrested,” he added.
Shortly after the DPP’s departure, Minister of Internal Affairs, Gen Aronda Nyakairima also visited the scene but remained in his car and left shortly after without a word.
The DDP’s remarks come just hours after the Inspector General of Police, Gen Kale Kayihura issued a statement in which he vowed to bring the suspects to book.
In the statement issued on Monday evening, Gen Kayihura said Police has intensified its investigations, adding that Ms Kagezi’s murder should only serve to increase Police’s resolve to hunt down and bring to justice all those elements bent on disturbing the security and development of the country.
Meanwhile, the crime scene remains sealed off by security and investigating officers, including the anti-terrorism personnel, scene of crime officers, forensic experts, among others as investigations continue.
Mourners continue to flood Ms Kagezi’s heavily guarded home which is about half a kilometer from where she was killed.
See Gen Kayihura’s full statement Below;
POLICE INVESTIGATES DEADLY SHOOTING
This evening, Monday 30th March 2015, Ms. Joan Kagezi, Ag. Assistant Director of Public Prosecution, was shot dead at 7:15 pm, near her residence in Kiwatule a city suburb as she drove home with her children. She had stopped at a fruit stall by the road side where she normally stopped to purchase fruits, when the criminals riding on a motorcycle of boxer type, red in color, stopped next to the parked vehicle and shot her twice in the neck and shoulder, through the widow on the driver’s side. She was driving the vehicle herself.
The Director of CIID, Assistant Inspector General of Police Grace Akullo who by coincidence was driving some distance behind her, was the first police officer on the scene. She coordinated the evacuation of the deceased to Mulago hospital where she was pronounced dead on arrival.
Her three children who were with her escaped unhurt. Ms. Joan Kagezi was in charge of the International Crime Division handling international crimes such as terrorism, war crimes, and trafficking in persons. At the time of her tragic death she was the lead prosecutor in the case of the 2010 terror suspects now before the High Court. She was, also working with the Police in the prosecution of the suspects in the recent spate of murders, robberies and terrorism in Busoga region and Kampala. Her death is a big loss to the country.
Immediately after the shooting, the police secured the scene, and interviewed eye witnesses who have given very useful information that will assist in the hunt for the murderers. We call upon any member of the public who may have any information relating to the incident to give it to the police, any other security officer or LC official. In spite of this tragic incident of criminality, we call upon the public to remain calm but vigilant.
The murder of Joan Kagezi should only serve to increase our resolve to hunt down and bring to justice all those elements bent on disturbing the security and development of our country.
GEN. KALE KAYIHURA INSPECTOR GENERAL OF POLICE 30TH MARCH 2015

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