Daniel Kisekka Receives 35-Year Sentence for Joan Kagezi’s Murder

Daniel Kisekka was sentenced to 35 years for the 2015 murder of Joan Kagezi, a notable Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions. The conviction is a milestone in the long-awaited justice for Kagezi, reflecting careful judicial processes and the end of a cold investigation. While Kisekka accepted a guilty plea, the case against other accomplices remains ongoing, continuing a pursuit of justice against organized crime.

Daniel Kisekka has been sentenced to 35 years in prison for the 2015 murder of Joan Kagezi Namazzi, a prominent Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions in Uganda. In a landmark ruling, the International Crimes Division of the High Court found him guilty of participating in her assassination, a case that has haunted the nation for nearly a decade. Kisekka entered a guilty plea as part of a plea bargain arrangement, which reduced his sentence to 34 years, accounting for the year he has already spent on remand.

The court revealed that Kagezi’s murder was not only premeditated but driven by profits, orchestrated by an unnamed high-profile individual. Alongside Kisekka, the conspiracy involved accomplices—Kibuuka John, Nasur Abdallah Mugonole, and Massajjage John—who carried out the execution in view of Kagezi’s children. Reports indicate that Kibuuka shot the victim twice in the neck while she sat in her vehicle in Kiwatule.

During his confession, Kisekka stated his role as part of a backup team, while outlining how each conspirator was promised UGX 500,000 upfront and USD 200,000 upon successful completion of the murder. Interestingly, the investigation had gone cold for several years until Kisekka’s arrest in 2023 on unrelated charges. His subsequent confession and the details he provided were pivotal in reawakening the investigation into Kagezi’s assassination.

Kisekka’s criminal history is extensive, stretching back to 2008, with previous charges including aggravated robbery and desertion from the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) in 2006. It’s believed that he had evaded capture for years, reportedly aided by mystical rituals performed by a witch doctor, apparently aimed at protecting him from arrest.

In delivering the sentence, the judges noted several aggravating factors: the incident’s brutality, Kagezi’s children being present, and the deliberate nature of the crime. The judicial panel included Justice Michael Elubu (Head of Panel), alongside Justices Stephen Mubiru, Dr. Winfred Nabisinde, and Celia Nagawa.

Thomas Jatiko, an Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions, represented the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) in the matter. Following the verdict, Jacquelyn Okui, the ODPP’s Public Relations Officer, expressed that the conviction demonstrated the institution’s commitment to justice, irrespective of time’s passage.

At the time she was killed, Kagezi was integral to major terrorism and war crimes prosecutions. Her assassination sent shockwaves through the community, raising alarms about judicial safety nationwide. The pursuit of justice continues for the other suspects involved in the case, which notably spotlights organized crime’s unyielding grip on society. Kisekka’s conviction underscores a critical message: no one can escape the law based on privilege or supernatural protection. Furthermore, it highlights how effective plea bargaining can be in addressing more extensive criminal networks.

The conviction of Daniel Kisekka for the murder of Joan Kagezi represents a significant development in a case that has lingered for years. His plea and subsequent sentencing illuminate the serious implications of organized crime while reinforcing that justice will prevail, regardless of time. This milestone also emphasizes the impactful role of strategic judicial processes, such as plea bargaining, in dismantling complex criminal conspiracies. As investigations continue against other suspects, the legal system’s response to such heinous acts remains pivotal for public confidence in justice.

Original Source: softpower.ug