High Court Rejects Bail for SSP Agasiirwe in Joan Kagezi Murder Case, Citing Seven Key Reasons

The High Court in Uganda has turned down a bail application from former Senior Superintendent of Police Nickson Agasiirwe Karuhanga, who faces trial for the 2015 murder of senior state prosecutor Joan Kagezi. Kagezi was shot dead in Kampala while heading home with her children.

Justice Isaac Muwata delivered the ruling, stressing that bail, though a constitutional right, is not guaranteed in grave cases like murder, which carries the death penalty.

Key Reasons for Denial

1. Severity of Charges: The potential death sentence creates a strong motive for the suspect to flee.

2. Witness Tampering Risk: Many witnesses are junior officers who worked under Agasiirwe, raising fears of intimidation.

3. Multiple Ongoing Investigations: He faces probes into kidnapping with intent to murder, aggravated robbery, and other killings.

4. Threat to Probes: Granting bail could undermine active investigations.

5. Questionable Residence: The property offered as proof of address is linked to alleged illicit enrichment under scrutiny.

6. No Exceptional Circumstances: Despite over 480 days in custody and his age, no special grounds were shown for bail in capital cases.

7. Mandatory Bail Inapplicable: Claims of automatic release after 180 days were rejected since the state is prepared for trial.

The judge concluded that justice demands Agasiirwe stay in remand to avoid prejudicing the case. Prosecutors describe Kagezi’s killing as a planned group attack tied to him.

Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)