Breaking: Former Police Operative Nixon Agasirwe Arraigned in Kagezi Murder Case

Key Takeaways

Former police operative Nixon Agasirwe was arraigned in court for his alleged involvement in the 2015 murder of senior state prosecutor Joan Kagezi.
Agasirwe's arrest followed new testimonies during the trial of Kagezi's alleged killers, particularly a confession from suspect Daniel Kisseka Kiwanuka implicating him in orchestrating the assassination.
Security agencies are reopening investigations into Agasirwe's potential involvement in other high-profile assassinations, linked to a 2016 ballistics report connecting the weapon used in Kagezi's murder to other notable killings.
Joan Kagezi was shot while prosecuting significant terrorism cases, making her a target in Uganda, and her murder remains a critical unresolved case in the country's justice system.
Agasirwe has a controversial history, including previous legal troubles related to illegal activities and connections to former police leadership.

Kampala - In a significant development in the ongoing investigation into the assassination of senior state prosecutor Joan Kagezi, former police operative Nixon Agasirwe was presented this Monday morning at the Nakawa Chief Magistrate’s Court. Agasirwe faces serious charges stemming from Kagezi’s murder, which occurred in 2015.

His arrest was executed last Thursday, following new revelations during the trial of Kagezi's alleged killers. Arriving at the courthouse under heavy security, Agasirwe was seen handcuffed and escorted by counter-terrorism officers in a police van. Dressed in a long-sleeved checked shirt and brown shoes, Agasirwe appeared visibly anxious as he spent a short time in the court's holding cells while awaiting the formal reading of the charges against him.

The proceedings are particularly dramatic following a recent confession by Daniel Kisseka Kiwanuka, one of the suspects involved in Kagezi's murder. Kiwanuka testified that an individual referred to as “Nickson,” believed to be Agasirwe, orchestrated the assassination. He claimed that Agasirwe coordinated the operation using a government-marked vehicle and communicated instructions via intermediaries.

In light of these revelations, security agencies have reopened inquiries into Agasirwe’s suspected involvement, not just in the Kagezi case, but also in a series of other notorious assassinations. A 2016 government ballistics report presented to the International Crimes Division indicated that the weapon used in Kagezi’s murder was also linked to the killings of notable Muslim clerics, Sheikh Mustafa Bahiga and Sheikh Hassan Kirya.

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Agasirwe, who was once closely associated with former Inspector General of Police Gen. Kale Kayihura, has a history of legal issues, including previous detentions related to illegal repatriations and possession of military equipment, from which he was later released on bail. His name has frequently surfaced in investigations concerning the misconduct of rogue police units during Kayihura's administration.

Joan Kagezi was tragically shot on March 30, 2015, in Kiwatule while accompanied by her children. At the time of her murder, she was involved in prosecuting several high-profile terrorism cases, including those related to the 2010 Al-Shabaab bombings in Kampala, establishing her as one of the most targeted prosecutors in Uganda.

As court proceedings began this morning, officials indicated that prosecutors are poised to formally present charges against Agasirwe today, marking a pivotal moment in the long-standing investigation into Kagezi’s assassination—an unresolved case that has plagued Uganda’s justice system for nearly a decade.