KAMPALA, Uganda — Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Nixon Agasirwe Karuhanga, the former commandant of the Special Investigations Unit (SIU), has been remanded on charges of murdering Joan Kagezi Namazzi, the former assistant director of public prosecutions, in 2015.
Agasirwe was arraigned on Monday before the Nakawa Chief Magistrate’s court, presided over by Chief Magistrate Esther Nyadoi, where he faced one count of murder. Chief State Attorneys Richard Birivumbuka and Joseph Kyomuhendo submitted the charge sheet to the magistrate.
The court heard that on March 30, 2015, in Kiwatule, Nakawa Division, Kampala district, Agasirwe, along with others who are still at large, allegedly caused Kagezi’s death with malice aforethought.
Magistrate Nyadoi informed Agasirwe that he could not enter a plea, as the charges against him are capital in nature and fall under the exclusive jurisdiction of the High Court. Consequently, Agasirwe did not plead guilty to the murder charge.
He attempted to apply for bail, requesting that the magistrate await his lawyer before adjourning the case. He explained that he had only informed his lawyer 30 minutes prior to the session and was unaware he would be brought to court that day.
However, given that the matter falls under the High Court’s jurisdiction, the magistrate advised that the lawyer’s immediate presence was not critical, adding that the lawyer could access the charge sheet at any time to prepare for the next court appearance.
Chief State Attorney Joseph Kyomuhendo informed the court that investigations are still ongoing. Agasirwe was subsequently remanded until July 8, 2025. Deputy DPP spokesperson Irene Nakimbugwe stated that new leads, extending beyond the confession of one of the convicts in Kagezi’s murder, had led to Agasirwe’s arrest.
The convict reportedly implicated Agasirwe, alleging he provided funds to carry out the killing. Nakimbugwe described Agasirwe’s arraignment, occurring ten years after the initial investigation began, as a significant breakthrough, asserting that the Office of the DPP remains steadfast in its pursuit of further inquiries.
Agasirwe’s lawyer, Ahmed Kalule Mukasa, arrived at court after the session had concluded. He declined to speak to the media, stating that he needed to review the charge sheet before commenting on the case.
Agasirwe’s arrest followed direct testimony by Daniel Kisekka Kiwanuka, a convict in Kagezi’s murder. Kisekka told a panel of four judges at the International Crimes Division (ICD) of the High Court that it was Agasirwe who provided them with money to commit the murder.
Agasirwe was arrested shortly after May 21, 2025, when Kisekka delivered his testimony. The three suspects still undergoing trial in the case are John Kibuuka, John Masajjagge, and Nasur Abudallah Mugonole, who face charges of terrorism and Kagezi’s murder.
With Agasirwe’s arrest and remand, the number of suspected perpetrators in Kagezi’s murder now stands at four.
The fifth individual, Daniel Kisekka, was convicted based on his confession. He admitted to his involvement in the crime and testified that the group received Shs 500,000 from Agasirwe to kill Kagezi. For his cooperation and avoiding undue court delays, Kisekka was sentenced to 35 years in prison.
This is not the first time Agasirwe has faced remand. He previously spent five years in prison before being granted bail by the General Court Martial on March 7, 2022. His prior detention, which began on October 24, 2017, was related to charges of failing to protect war materials and the illegal repatriation of Rwandan refugees.
Agasirwe was initially brought to court on February 13, 2018, for unlawful possession of ammunition. In August of the same year, he was charged alongside his former superior, General Edward Kale Kayihura, the former Inspector General of Police, and ten others.
These co-accused individuals included Colonel Ndahura Atwooki, Herbert Muhangi, Patrick Muramira, Jonas Ayebaza, Joel Aguma, James Magada, Benon Atwebembeire, Abel Tumukunde, Faisal Katende, and two foreign nationals, Amon Kwarisiima (Rwandan) and Pacifique Mugenga Bahati alias Ilunga Monga (Congolese).
The group was accused of unlawful possession of military-grade weapons, specifically “tortoise grenades,” which are ordinarily reserved for armed forces. This offense allegedly occurred on October 24, 2017, in Najjera, Kira Division, Wakiso district.
They also faced accusations of aiding and abetting the illegal repatriation of Rwandan exiles, refugees, and Ugandan citizens to Rwanda, including Lieutenant Joel Mutabazi, a former bodyguard to Rwandan President Paul Kagame, Jackson Karemera alias Odinga, and Sergeant Innocent Kalisa.
Furthermore, the police officers were charged with failing to supervise and account for arms and ammunition issued to specialized police units under the office of the IGP, which reportedly ended up in unauthorized hands.
Among other key figures involved in these preceding cases was Abdullah Kitatta, the former Patron of Boda Boda 2010, who was also convicted and has since completed his sentence.
