KAMPALA — One of the suspects on trial over the 2015 murder of former Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions Joan Kagezi Namazzi has told the International Crimes Division of the High Court that former Inspector General of Police Gen. Kale Kayihura masterminded the assassination, allegations that have not been tested in court and on which Kayihura has not publicly responded.
Nasur Abdallah Mugonole made the claims on Friday while giving his defence before the High Court in Kampala.
Mugonole told the court that although he knew about the plan to kill Kagezi, he did not take part in the actual shooting. Instead, he said he had been recruited to gather intelligence on individuals involved in planning the assassination and report to a person he identified only as “Green.”
According to Mugonole, Kagezi had obtained documents allegedly linking Kayihura to violent activities and illegal firearms dealings. He claimed that the former police chief offered Kagezi Shs1 billion in exchange for the documents, but that she refused the offer, saying she intended to hand them to President Yoweri Museveni.
The accused further alleged that Kagezi’s mobile phone was stolen before her killing by a man he identified as Calvin Jordan, who allegedly gained the family’s trust by pretending to be interested in dating Kagezi’s daughter.
Mugonole told the court that the phone was returned three days later after a tracking device had allegedly been installed, enabling those behind the plot to monitor Kagezi’s movements.
He also claimed that police officer Hamisi Kakaire was the gunman who fatally shot Kagezi, while the firearm used in the killing was allegedly supplied by former Flying Squad commander Nixon Agasirwe, who is separately facing charges alongside Abdul Noor Ssemujju, also known as Minana, in connection with the murder.
Kagezi was gunned down on March 30, 2015, near her home in Kiwatule, a Kampala suburb, while returning home with her children. At the time of her death, she was leading several high-profile terrorism and organised crime prosecutions.
The allegations made by Mugonole were presented as part of his defence and have not been proven in court. The prosecution is expected to challenge the claims as the trial continues.
Gen. Kayihura has not publicly responded to the latest allegations at the time of publication. The High Court proceedings remain ongoing.