By Aggrey Baba
They were once known as friendly, easygoing Ludo players in Kyebando-Kisalosalo, men who spent their afternoons huddled over a board, rolling ones and sixes, and placing bets.
Shockingly, beneath their unassuming demeanor, investigators now allege, lay a deadly secret.
Nearly a decade after the assassination of senior state prosecutor Joan Kagezi, four former Ludo champions stand accused of masterminding and executing one of Uganda’s most shocking murders.
In 2012, Daniel Kisekka, John Kibuuka alias Musa, John Masajage alias Brian Mubiru, and Nasur Abdallah Mugonole, reportedly won a local Ludo tournament in Mulimira Zone. They were known for their skill, never playing beyond 5:00 pm and always staking money in their games.
They blended effortlessly into the community, passing as construction workers while concealing their alleged darker intentions.
Now, they are on trial for the murder of Kagezi, a fearless prosecutor who took on high-profile terrorism cases. On the evening of March 30, 2015, as she stopped to buy fruit in Kiwatule, Kampala, leaving her children in the car, Kagezi was shot twice, an execution-style killing that sent shockwaves across the nation.
For years, authorities have struggled to crack the case, despite widespread speculation. The suspected masterminds remained elusive until 2023, following an intensified investigation ordered by President Yoweri Museveni, that led to their arrested.
The International Crimes Division of the High Court has now confirmed murder and terrorism charges against them, marking a turning point in the long pursuit of justice.
According to investigators, the four suspects played a long and calculated game, much like their strategic approach to Ludo, allegedly spending months tracking the prosecutor’s movements, carefully studying her routine before executing the hit.
A colossal bounty of $200,000 was reportedly placed on her head, with secret meetings held in Kawempe Division to plan the assassination.
Further evidence, including mobile phone data placing some of the accused at the crime scene, has strengthened the case against them, with one of the suspects said to have confessed, revealing that they even sought the help of a witch doctor in Kayunga for protection from being caught.
As the case heads to trial, the dramatic downfall of these once-celebrated Ludo players serves as a chilling reminder that appearances can be deceiving. How could men who once spent their days playing harmless board games transition into cold-blooded assassins?
With the court confirming the charges, the suspects now face the full weight of the law, with possible death sentences if convicted. With the saying that even the smallest snake can carry the deadliest venom, the shocked country watches closely, waiting to see if justice for the prosecutor will finally be served. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
