“I Only Survived On Panadol” Ssemujju Minana One Of The Key Suspects In The Killing Of Joan Kagezi Cries Out

Abdul Noor Ssemujju, alias Minana, one of the main suspects in the 2015 assassination of senior state prosecutor Joan Kagezi, broke down in tears at the Nakawa Chief Magistrates Court, claiming he has endured prolonged suffering and neglect while detained in Luzira Prison.

Appearing frail and visibly weak, the 58-year-old stood before the court and, with a shaking voice, told the magistrate he has received no medical attention since his incarceration. He said his only source of relief came from fellow inmates who shared basic painkillers with him. “My brothers in prison gave me Panadol to survive,” he said, drawing a moment of silence and sympathy in the courtroom.

His plea followed the submission of a medical report from Murchison Bay Hospital by the Uganda Prisons Service, which stated that Minana exhibited no signs of torture or serious illness. In response, Minana vehemently denied having been seen by any doctor and insisted he has been left without adequate medical care or proper nutrition.

Minana faces murder charges alongside Senior Superintendent of Police Nixon Agasirwe in connection with the high-profile killing of Kagezi, who was gunned down while sitting in her car in the Kampala suburb of Kiwatule.

For years, the investigation stalled—until a convicted conspirator came forward with new testimony, reigniting legal proceedings and public interest in one of Uganda’s most widely followed murder cases.

Presiding magistrate Daphine Ayebare adjourned the case to allow for further investigations. Both suspects are expected to return to court on August 8.

Minana’s emotional courtroom appeal has triggered renewed scrutiny of conditions within Uganda’s prison system, particularly for those accused in politically or publicly sensitive cases. While some citizens have expressed compassion for his plight, others remain focused on ensuring justice is served swiftly and decisively.

As the proceedings continue, the case is drawing national attention—not just for the unresolved murder of Joan Kagezi, but also for the broader questions it raises about detainee welfare and the rule of law.