Former Flying Squad Commander Hires New Lawyer Amid Murder Trial Crisis
KAMPALA – In a dramatic turn of events, former Flying Squad commander Senior Superintendent of Police Nixon Agasirwe Karuhanga has been forced to secure new legal representation after being unexpectedly abandoned by his previous lawyer, Ahmed Kalule, without a satisfactory explanation.
The development comes as Agasirwe faces murder charges brought by the outgoing Director of Public Prosecutions, with prosecutors seeking the death penalty in a high-profile case that has captivated the nation.
Legal Abandonment and Swift Replacement
According to sources close to the matter, Counsel Ahmed Kalule abruptly withdrew from representing the embattled former police commander, leaving Agasirwe without legal counsel at a critical juncture in his trial. The reasons for Kalule’s sudden departure remain unclear, though insiders describe the abandonment as “without satisfactory explanation.”
Facing the grave possibility of a death sentence, Agasirwe has moved quickly to retain another senior city lawyer, whose identity has not yet been formally disclosed. The change in legal representation comes as the case enters what observers describe as a pivotal phase.
Co-Accused Points Finger at Agasirwe and UPDF General
In a separate but related development, Agasirwe’s co-accused, Minana, has made startling allegations in court proceedings. Minana directly implicated Agasirwe and a high-ranking Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) general in the murder of the late Joan Kagezi, a senior prosecutor whose killing in 2015 sent shockwaves through Uganda’s legal community.
Minana testified that it was Agasirwe and the unnamed general who allegedly sent him to carry out the assassination of Kagezi, who was at the time leading the prosecution of key suspects in the 2010 Kampala bombings.
Background: The Joan Kagezi Assassination
Joan Kagezi, then Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions, was shot dead on March 30, 2015, near her home in Kiwatule, a suburb of Kampala. She was returning from work when assailants on a motorcycle attacked her, shooting her in the neck and chest as she sat in her vehicle with three of her children present.
Kagezi was at the time handling the prosecution of suspects linked to the 2010 twin bombings in Kampala that killed 74 people who were watching the World Cup final. The bombings were claimed by the Somali militant group al-Shabaab.
The investigation into her murder has spanned nearly a decade, with multiple false starts and allegations of evidence tampering and witness intimidation hampering progress.
Legal Proceedings and Implications
Agasirwe’s legal troubles extend beyond the Kagezi case. The former Flying Squad commander has been implicated in various high-profile incidents, including the forced disappearance of opposition supporters and extrajudicial activities. His unit, the Flying Squad, was notorious for its aggressive tactics and was eventually disbanded amid allegations of human rights abuses.
The outgoing Director of Public Prosecutions has pursued murder charges against Agasirwe with unusual vigor, with legal experts noting the determination to secure convictions in this landmark case before the transition to new leadership in the prosecution service.
What Comes Next
With new legal representation now secured, Agasirwe’s defense team is expected to request additional time to familiarize themselves with the case materials. The allegations made by co-accused Minana are likely to feature prominently in upcoming proceedings, potentially drawing in senior military figures as the court seeks to establish the chain of command behind Kagezi’s assassination.
Legal observers note that the case represents a significant test for Uganda’s judicial system, which has often struggled to hold senior security officials accountable for alleged crimes.
The trial continues amid tight security at the High Court in Kampala, with the next hearing date expected to be announced shortly.
