On Monday, June 16, 2025, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Nixon Agasirwe Karuhanga, the former head of the Special Investigations Unit (SIU), was remanded to prison over the alleged 2015 murder of Joan Kagezi, the Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions.
Agasirwe appeared before Nakawa Chief Magistrate Esther Nyadoi, who read out a murder charge filed by Chief State Attorneys Richard Birivumbuka and Joseph Kyomuhendo. The court was told that on March 30, 2015, in Kiwatule, Nakawa Division, Kampala, Agasirwe—together with unidentified accomplices—allegedly killed Kagezi with premeditated intent.
Being a capital offense, Agasirwe was not allowed to plead. Though he requested bail, citing short notice to his legal team, the Magistrate advised he pursue bail through the High Court, which has jurisdiction over such cases. Investigations are still ongoing, and Agasirwe will return to court on July 8, 2025.
Deputy DPP spokesperson Irene Nakimbugwe said Agasirwe’s arrest follows fresh leads beyond an earlier confession by convict Daniel Kisekka, who claimed Agasirwe funded the assassination. Kisekka was sentenced to 35 years for his role, having confessed to receiving UGX 500,000 from Agasirwe.
Agasirwe’s lawyer, Ahmed Kalule Mukasa, arrived post-session and declined comment. Agasirwe now becomes the fourth person charged in connection to Kagezi’s murder. Others include John Kibuuka, John Masajjagge, and Nasur Abudallah Mugonole.
This isn’t Agasirwe’s first encounter with the justice system. He was previously detained for five years on charges of unlawfully possessing ammunition and repatriating Rwandan refugees. He was granted bail in March 2022.
Agasirwe’s name also surfaced in a 2018 court case involving former IGP Gen. Kale Kayihura and several top police officers and foreign nationals. The group was charged with possessing military-grade weapons and facilitating illegal extraditions.