Abdu Noor Ssemujju, alias Minana, at the Nakawa Chief Magistrate’s Court on June 24, 2025. PHOTO / JULIET KIGONGO
There was drama at the Nakawa Chief Magistrate’s Court yesterday as Abdu Noor Ssemujju, alias Minana, a 58-year-old former police crime fighter, was charged with the 2015 assassination of senior state prosecutor Joan Namazzi Kagezi.
Minana, once a special police constable attached to the now-defunct Flying Squad Unit, was brought to court under tight security by operatives from the Joint Anti-Terrorism Taskforce. He was driven in a white police van that reversed directly to the court cells, where officers formed a human barricade to escort him inside. Dressed in a tattered khaki shirt and faded navy-blue jeans, the frail-looking suspect could barely stand and had to be supported by two officers.
As soon as he stepped onto the court premises, he broke into loud, uncontrollable sobs. “Please help me! Kayihura! They told me you took me to Kagame! I have never seen Kagame!” he cried, referencing former Inspector General of Police Gen Kale Kayihura and Rwandan President Paul Kagame.
Court staff, journalists, and stunned members of the public watched silently as Minana clung to the railings while being ushered into the courtroom. Inside, the drama intensified. Minana slumped to the floor in the dock, claiming he had not eaten for four days and was in pain from alleged beatings.
“Your worship, I am dying. I haven’t eaten in days. My ribs are hurting. Please give me something to eat,” he pleaded, trembling and holding his stomach. Moved by his condition, Grade One Magistrate Daphine Ayebare temporarily suspended the session for an hour to allow the suspect to eat a hastily arranged meal.
But even after the break, chaos resumed. Minana appeared dazed and incoherent, muttering to himself, clutching his head, and staggering as he tried to stand. Proceedings were paused again as court officials attempted to stabilise the situation.
Security operatives support Abdu Noor Ssemujju, alias Minana, to walk at Nakawa Chief Magistrate’s Court in Kampala on June 24, 2025. PHOTO/ JULIET KIGONGO
The charges
Once calm returned, the prosecution formally read out the charge: that Minana, along with Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Nixon Agasiirwe Karuhanga and others still at large, unlawfully and with malice aforethought caused the death of Joan Kagezi on March 30, 2015.
Due to the capital nature of the offence, the magistrate explained that Minana could not take plea at this stage. “This court has no jurisdiction. I will only read the charges to you. You are not allowed to respond,” Magistrate Ayebare told the suspect.
Principal State Attorney Richard Birivumbuka informed the court that investigations were still ongoing and requested more time to prepare for committal of the accused to the High Court. Minana’s name had initially surfaced in the case in 2017 but faded from public view.
His rearrest follows new testimony from convicted conspirator Daniel Kisekka, who is serving a 35-year sentence after pleading guilty.
Implication
Kisekka’s testimony implicated both Agasiirwe and Minana in the planning and execution of Kagezi’s murder. He claimed that Agasiirwe financed the operation and used state resources to coordinate the assassination. Minana now joins Agasiirwe at Luzira Upper Prison. The two are scheduled to reappear in court on July 8 for further mention of the case.
