Top Gov’t Chief Who Wanted Joan Kagezi Dead Identified

In a stunning twist to one of Uganda’s most haunting murder cases, a man convicted in the assassination of former Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions Joan Kagezi has revealed the identity of the person who allegedly ordered her killing—describing him only as “Nixon,” a man he claims was driving a government vehicle at the time.

Daniel Kisekka Kiwanuka, now serving a 35-year sentence after a plea bargain with the state, dropped the bombshell during his testimony this week before a panel of High Court judges.

His cooperation with the prosecution—part of his agreement for a reduced sentence—has turned him into a key state witness against his former co-accused: John Kibuuka, John Masajjage, and Nasur Abudallah Mugonole.

Under fierce cross-examination by defense lawyer Elizabeth Nampola, Kisekka recounted that Kibuuka, one of the alleged masterminds, approached him with a $200,000 offer to kill what he called a “judge interfering in Muslim cases.” That “judge” was Joan Kagezi—Uganda’s lead prosecutor in terrorism cases—gunned down on March 30, 2015, in a high-profile assassination that sent shockwaves across the nation.

While Kisekka initially claimed not to know who financed the hit, he later named “Nixon” as the man behind the mission.

According to him, Nixon met with Kibuuka just days before the murder in Kalerwe, arriving in a vehicle bearing government registration plates.

Despite never directly interacting with Nixon, Kisekka said he was told by Kibuuka that this mysterious figure was the money man.

Curiously, despite the hefty promised sum, Kisekka claims he only received a deposit of sh500,000—and never saw the rest of the money.

The case, now being heard by Justices Dr. Andrew Bashaija, Joyce Kavuma, Duncan Gaswagga, and Richard Wejuli Wabwire, has taken nearly a decade to reach trial. The murder of Kagezi—then the face of Uganda’s anti-terror efforts—stalled dozens of cases and raised questions about the reach of extremist networks and potential infiltration within government structures.

The prosecution also brought forward powerful witnesses, including Ssewankabo Ssekimpi, who claims to have seen the fatal shooting, and crime scene officer Okello Michael Jackson, whose photographs were presented in court.

As the trial continues, the nation waits with bated breath for further revelations—and for answers to the haunting question: who really wanted Joan Kagezi dead, and why?