SSP Agasirwe remanded to prison over Joan Kagezi murder
SSP Nickson Agasiirwe in the courtroom at the Chief Magistrate’s Court of Nakawa Division, Kampala. PHOTO/ ABUBAKER LUBOWA
What you need to know:
- The court heard that Agasirwe, who was arrested last month by a joint security team allegedly coordinated Kagezi’s assassination using a government vehicle, a detail revealed by the key prosecution witness Daniel Kisekka during an earlier trial session at the International Crimes Division of the High Court.
- This marks the second time Agasirwe has been remanded to Luzira Prison.
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Nixon Agasirwe Karuhanga has been remanded to Luzira Prison on charges of murdering Senior State Prosecutor, Joan Kagezi, in March 2015.
The former commandant of the Police Special Operations Unit was arraigned before Nakawa Chief Magistrate's Court on Monday, June 16, 2025 and charged formally after spending weeks in police detention.
However, he was not allowed to take plea because the Chief Magistrate’s Court does not have jurisdiction to hear capital offences such as murder cases.
“This court has no jurisdiction to entertain your matter. You are only here to have the charge read to you,” Chief Magistrate Esther Nyadoi said as court proceedings commenced.
Appearing in the dock without a lawyer, Agasirwe pleaded with the magistrate not to adjourn the court proceedings in the absence of his legal counsel, who had reportedly received information about his court appearance on short notice.
However, the magistrates paid a deaf ear.
“This is a capital offence. Charges have already been communicated, and a plea not taken. I appreciate that the accused has a right to legal representation. He will inform his lawyer, who can access the record. His right to legal counsel remains intact,” she ruled.
Prosecution led by State Attorney Richard Birivumbuka told the magistrate that investigations into the case are still ongoing before requesting more time.
The Chief Magistrate subsequently remanded Agasirwe to Luzira Upper Prison until July 8, when the case will return to court for mention. His continued detention is to allow the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to finalise investigations before the case is transferred to the High Court for trial.
According to the prosecution, Agasirwe and others, who are still at large, with malice aforethought, unlawfully caused the death of Kagezi on March 30, 2015, in Kiwatule, Nakawa Division, Kampala District.
The court heard that Agasirwe, who was arrested last month by a joint security team allegedly coordinated Kagezi’s assassination using a government vehicle, a detail revealed by the key prosecution witness Daniel Kisekka during an earlier trial session at the International Crimes Division of the High Court.
Kisekka, a UPDF deserter told the International Crimes Division of the High Court on May 21, 2025, that a man he identified as “Nixon” ordered Kagezi’s killing.
Kisekka, currently serving a 35-year prison sentence after pleading guilty to Kagezi’s murder, said "Nixon" made payment for her assassination over her interference in criminal proceedings involving suspects from the Muslim community.
Kagezi was shot dead on March 30, 2015, at around 7 pm by assailants who had been trailing her on a boda boda motorcycle as she drove to her home.
Her attack shocked Uganda's justice system, given that she was at the time prosecuting a high-profile case involving the July 2010 Kampala bomb suspects.
This marks the second time Agasirwe has been remanded to Luzira Prison.
In October 2017, he was arrested and charged before the General Court Martial alongside former Inspector General of Police Gen Kale Kayihura. In that case, he faced charges including unlawful possession of grenades and the controversial repatriation of Rwandan asylum seekers.
