A man facing trial over the 2015 murder of former Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions Joan Kagezi has made explosive claims in court, alleging that former Inspector General of Police Gen. Kale Kayihura masterminded the assassination.
Nasur Abdallah Mugonole made the allegations on Friday while presenting his defence before the International Crimes Division of the High Court in Kampala.
However, Gen. Kayihura has not been charged with, or convicted of, any offence related to Kagezi’s murder, and the claims remain part of Mugonole’s testimony before court.
Accused Denies Shooting Kagezi
Kagezi, a senior prosecutor who handled several high-profile criminal cases, was shot dead on March 30, 2015, near her home in Kiwatule, Kampala.
While defending himself, Mugonole told court that he was aware of a plan to kill Kagezi but denied taking part in the actual shooting.
He instead alleged that police officer Hamisi Kakaire carried out the shooting and claimed the gun used in the murder was provided by former Flying Squad commander Nixon Agasirwe.
Mugonole said his role was allegedly limited to gathering information about people involved in the plot and passing it to an individual he identified as “Green.”
Alleged Motive Behind Murder
The accused claimed that Kagezi had documents allegedly linking Gen. Kayihura to illegal activities, including violence and firearms dealings.
He further alleged that Kayihura offered Kagezi Shs1 billion in exchange for the documents, but she refused, saying she wanted to hand them over to President Yoweri Museveni.
Mugonole also told court that former co-accused Daniel Kisekka Kiwanuka, who later became a state witness after a plea bargain, allegedly told him that Kayihura financed and coordinated the operation.
Phone Tracking Claims
Mugonole also made claims about Kagezi’s mobile phone, alleging it was stolen before her death and used to monitor her movements.
He alleged that a tracking device was installed on the phone before it was returned to her days before the assassination.
The accused further claimed similar phone-tracking methods were later used against other security figures, including former Buyende District Police Commander Muhammad Kirumira and former Assistant Inspector General of Police Andrew Felix Kaweesi, who were also killed.
Three Suspects On Trial
Three men are currently facing trial over Kagezi’s murder — John Kibuuka alias Musa, Nasur Abdallah Mugonole, and John Masajjage alias Brian Mubiru, Badru or Congo.
Daniel Kisekka Kiwanuka, who was initially charged alongside them, pleaded guilty after entering a plea bargain with prosecutors and was sentenced to 35 years in prison after becoming a state witness.
During earlier testimony, Kisekka told court that the group planned and carried out the attack, alleging that Kibuuka was the person who shot Kagezi.
He said the group travelled to Kiwatule on the evening of March 30, 2015, where Kagezi was attacked as she stopped to buy fruit.
The trial is expected to continue in September 2026, with prosecutors set to cross-examine Mugonole over his allegations.
