Nearly a decade after the brutal murder of former assistant director of public prosecutions Joan Namazzi Kagezi, a senior police officer has been brought to justice, according to the office of the director of public prosecutions (DPP).

Former senior superintendent of police Nickson Agasiirwe Karuhanga, along with alias Minaana Abdu Noor Ssemujju, have now been committed to the High court for trial following a decision by the Nakawa Chief Magistrate’s court. Prosecutors confirmed that investigations are complete.

The committal followed the presentation of papers by chief state attorney Richard Birivumbuka, informing the court that the indictment was sanctioned by the DPP on December 15, 2025, and that the state is ready to proceed on the basis of circumstantial evidence.

According to the prosecution, Agasiirwe initially joined the Uganda Police Force as an informant before being regularised as a special police constable attached to the then Rapid Response Unit (RRU) in Kireka. He rapidly rose through the ranks and became an SSP by 2015.

While heading the Special Operations Unit, Agasiirwe allegedly recruited Minaana despite being aware of his extensive criminal record. Prosecutors say Minaana had previously been arrested and remanded at Kireka on charges including murder, armed robbery and motor vehicle theft.

Court records show that Minaana was linked to several violent crimes, including the attack on Naggalama police station in Mukono district, where officers were shot dead and firearms stolen, hijacking of a fuel tanker in Bweyogerere, and an armed robbery at Arua Park.

Despite repeated arrests, the prosecution alleges that Agasiirwe shielded Minaana from prosecution, facilitated his release, and later introduced him to then IGP Gen Kale Kayihura as a valuable operative. Minaana was subsequently placed on a police payroll, assigned armed protection and deployed as an informant.

Link to Kagezi’s murder

The alleged arrangement came to light through confessions made by Daniel Kisekka, one of the men convicted for Kagezi's murder. Testifying before the International Crimes Division of the High court, Kisekka said a man identified as “Nickson” paid him and three others to assassinate Kagezi.