Daniel Kisekka Kiwanuka, a former soldier of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), has been sentenced to 35 years in prison for the murder of Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Joan Kagezi Namazzi.
The sentence was given by the International Crimes Division of the High Court in Kampala after Kisekka entered into a plea bargain with the state.
Joan Kagezi was a senior prosecutor who handled some of the country’s most sensitive and dangerous criminal cases, including terrorism and organized crime. She was shot and killed on March 30, 2015, in Kiwatule, a suburb of Kampala, while driving home with her children. The murder shocked the nation and drew international attention.
For years, her case remained under investigation. Eventually, Daniel Kisekka, who had deserted the army, was arrested. He was charged with several crimes, including terrorism and murder. At the time of his arrest, Kisekka was living in Nsavu village, Kayunga District, and working as a charcoal burner.
In 2024, nearly nine years after the killing, Kisekka agreed to a plea bargain with the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions. A plea bargain is a legal agreement where an accused person agrees to plead guilty in exchange for a lighter sentence or reduced charges.
Joan Kagezi was a senior prosecutor who handled some of the country’s most sensitive and dangerous criminal cases, including terrorism and organized crime. She was shot and killed on March 30, 2015, in Kiwatule, a suburb of Kampala, while driving home with her children. The murder shocked the nation and drew international attention.
For years, her case remained under investigation. Eventually, Daniel Kisekka, who had deserted the army, was arrested. He was charged with several crimes, including terrorism and murder. At the time of his arrest, Kisekka was living in Nsavu village, Kayunga District, and working as a charcoal burner.
In 2024, nearly nine years after the killing, Kisekka agreed to a plea bargain with the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions. A plea bargain is a legal agreement where an accused person agrees to plead guilty in exchange for a lighter sentence or reduced charges.
As part of the deal, Kisekka admitted to murdering Joan Kagezi, and in return, the prosecution dropped the terrorism charges against him. The court also amended the indictment to reflect the guilty plea.
On sentencing, the judge said that although the crime was serious, the sentence was reduced because Kisekka took responsibility for his actions.
On sentencing, the judge said that although the crime was serious, the sentence was reduced because Kisekka took responsibility for his actions.
The court also considered that the plea bargain saved judicial time and resources. The judge handed him a 35-year prison term, but with one year already spent on remand, he will serve 34 more years behind bars.
The government welcomed the judgment as a step forward in delivering justice for Joan Kagezi. However, it remains unclear who ordered the killing or what the full motive was. Investigations into other suspects and possible masterminds are still ongoing.
The murder of Joan Kagezi raised serious concerns about the safety of state prosecutors and judicial officers in Uganda. At the time of her death, she was handling the trial of suspects in the 2010 Kampala bombings, which killed over 70 people.
Kagezi was known for her dedication, courage, and professionalism. Her colleagues described her as a fearless prosecutor who worked to uphold the rule of law, even when it put her life at risk.
This sentencing brings some closure to her family, friends, and the legal community, but many questions remain. The public continues to call for full justice and the arrest of all people involved in the assassination of one of Uganda’s most respected legal figures.
The government welcomed the judgment as a step forward in delivering justice for Joan Kagezi. However, it remains unclear who ordered the killing or what the full motive was. Investigations into other suspects and possible masterminds are still ongoing.
The murder of Joan Kagezi raised serious concerns about the safety of state prosecutors and judicial officers in Uganda. At the time of her death, she was handling the trial of suspects in the 2010 Kampala bombings, which killed over 70 people.
Kagezi was known for her dedication, courage, and professionalism. Her colleagues described her as a fearless prosecutor who worked to uphold the rule of law, even when it put her life at risk.
This sentencing brings some closure to her family, friends, and the legal community, but many questions remain. The public continues to call for full justice and the arrest of all people involved in the assassination of one of Uganda’s most respected legal figures.
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