Nixon Agasirwe Jailed – How safe is Kayihura?

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Nixon Agasirwe, once a powerful and polarizing figure within the Uganda Police Force, has been remanded to Luzira prison over his alleged role in the high-profile murder of Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions Joan Kagezi.

The dramatic turn in the nearly decade-long investigation into the assassination of Joan Kagezi marks one of the most consequential legal developments in recent Ugandan history. The arrest and remand of SSP Nixon Agasirwe—a once-powerful figure within Uganda’s security architecture—raises profound questions not only about culpability but about institutional oversight, complicity and political protection.

Chief among them: could Agasirwe’s alleged actions have been sanctioned, or at the very least, tolerated by higher-ups? For nearly 10 years, he remained untouched, even as an active police investigation into Kagezi’s murder unfolded within the very institution he served. How did he evade scrutiny for so long, despite the gravity of the case and his proximity to the epicenter of police intelligence operations?

The possibility that such a high-profile figure could operate with impunity— while implicated in the assassination of a top prosecutor—suggests systemic failures or deliberate shielding. It casts a long shadow over the entire justice and security establishment, raising uncomfortable questions about how far up the chain of command knowledge or approval of such an act might have gone.

Court appearence 

Agasirwe appeared before the Nakawa Chief Magistrate’s court on June 16, 2025, charged with a single count of murder under Sections 183 and 184 of Uganda’s Penal Code Act.

Prosecutors allege that he conspired with others to orchestrate the brutal assassination of Kagezi, who was gunned down on March 30, 2015, in Kiwatule, a suburb of Kampala, as she drove home with her children. She was shot dead in front of them, a moment that left the nation stunned and grieving.

Court proceedings: A step forward in a long delayed case 

In a courtroom charged with emotion and anticipation, prosecutors outlined their case against Agasirwe, accusing him of acting with “malice aforethought.” Defense lawyers sought to apply for bail, but Chief Magistrate Doreen Naluswa denied the request, noting that murder is a capital offense that falls under the exclusive jurisdiction of the High court.

As a result, Agasirwe could not enter a plea and was remanded until July 8, 2025, when he is expected to reappear in court. His arrest and arraignment signal a significant breakthrough in a case that has loomed large over Uganda’s criminal justice system for nearly ten years.

For many, Kagezi’s murder was more than just the loss of a prominent public official—it was a direct assault on the rule of law and the safety of prosecutors pursuing justice in difficult, often dangerous cases.

The key witness: An insider’s testimony 

The breakthrough in the case against Agasirwe appears to have come through the chilling testimony of Daniel Kisekka, a convict-turned-state witness currently serving a 35-year sentence for his own role in Kagezi’s murder. Kisekka named Agasirwe as the man behind the killing, alleging that he paid co-accused John Kibuuka Shs 500,000 to carry out the hit.

“The person who gave the job to John Kibuuka was Nixon,” Kisekka testified during a recent cross-examination by defense attorney Elizabeth Nampola. He added that he saw Agasirwe two days before the murder, arriving in a government vehicle to meet with Kibuuka in Kalerwe. Although Kisekka’s confession is pivotal, prosecutors emphasized that other corroborating evidence contributed to the decision to arrest Agasirwe. Already, three other suspects—John Kibuuka, John Masajjagge and Nasur Abudallah Mugonole—are standing trial on charges of terrorism and murder related to Kagezi’s death.

The addition of Agasirwe, however, raises the case to a new level of national significance.

Joan Kagezi: A legacy of courage 

Joan Kagezi was more than a prosecutor—she was a symbol of Uganda’s resolve to tackle serious crimes, including terrorism. As head of the International Criminal division at the ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Kagezi had prosecuted high-stakes cases like the 2010 Kampala bombings.

Her dedication to justice, even under threat, earned her widespread respect both at home and abroad. Her murder in front of her children sent shockwaves throughout the country and beyond.

For years, the case stagnated, with few public developments. Now, a decade later, the renewed mo- mentum has offered a glimmer of hope to those still seeking accountability.

The enigma of Nixon Agasirwe

Agasirwe’s involvement has reignited public interest not only in the Kagezi case but also in his controversial past. Once regarded as a trusted lieutenant to former inspector general of police Gen Kale Kayihura, Agasirwe’s rise through the ranks of Uganda’s security apparatus was steeped in secrecy, loyalty and allegations of misconduct.

According to a 2017 exposé by Trumpet News, Agasirwe—born Nickson Agasirwe Kyaruhanga—began his adult life as a shoe-shiner and cobbler in Mbarara. Despite the modest nature of his work, his lifestyle raised eyebrows among his peers, who suspected he was involved in criminal activities.

Reports from locals described him as a dangerous thug who led a gang of robbers that terrorised neighbourhoods in Mbarara, including Katete, Kakoba and Kijungu. Eventually, his criminal operations attracted the attention of Gen Kayihura. With the police struggling to combat rising crime in Western Uganda, Kayihura’s intelligence team approached Nickson with a proposition: become an informant or face prosecution.

Nickson chose the former and began feeding information to police, though he demanded significant financial compensation for his cooperation. To formalize the relationship, the police force inducted him.

He underwent cadet training, changed his name to Nixon, and formally joined the Uganda Police Force in 2009 as a Special Police Constable. He rose swiftly, eventually becoming a Senior Superintendent of Police and head of the Rapid Response Unit (RRU), a powerful wing charged with combating violent crime.

Despite lacking a formal academic background early in his career, Agasirwe later obtained his A-level certificate in 2009 and went on to earn a Bachelor of Laws degree from the Islamic University in Uganda in 2016. But questions continued to swirl about his role in extra-judicial operations and politically motivated arrests.

From law enforcer to defendant 

Agasirwe’s fall from grace came in 2017, when he was arrested and charged by the General Court Martial in Makindye alongside Senior Commissioner of Police Joel Aguma and several others.

They were accused of kidnapping Lt Joel Mutabaazi, a former bodyguard of Rwandan president Paul Kagame, and his brother Jackson Kalemera. The two men were allegedly abducted and forcibly returned to Rwanda without their consent. In addition to kidnapping charges, Agasirwe faced accusations of illegal possession of ammunition.

He spent five years in detention—from 2017 to 2022—before being released, only to now find himself at the center of an even more devastating case.

Links to other assassinations 

Investigators believe the Kagezi murder may not have been an isolated crime. Ballistic analysis by the police’s forensic division revealed that the weapon used in her assassination was the same one used to kill Sheikh Hassan Kirya, a prominent spokesperson for the Kibuli Muslim sect, also in 2015.

The matching cartridges at both crime scenes point to the existence of a broader, organized criminal network operating within or alongside state institutions.

A justice system tested 

Joan Kagezi’s murder was more than a criminal act—it was an assault on Uganda’s justice system and the individuals who risk their lives to uphold it. Her assassination silenced a fearless voice that had taken on some of the most dangerous cases in the country.

While the arrest of Nixon Agasirwe is a watershed moment, the path to justice remains long and complex. The testimonies of witnesses like Kisekka will be scrutinized, and the legal battle ahead promises to be intense.

Yet, for the many who have waited nearly ten years for answers, this development offers a measure of hope. As Uganda prepares to hear Agasirwe’s case in full, the nation will once again turn its attention to the courtroom, seeking not only a verdict, but also a reaffirmation that justice—though sometimes delayed—can still be served.

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