Three security-linked medical professionals took the stand on Thursday in the ongoing High Court trial of suspects accused in the 2015 assassination of Senior Principal State Attorney Joan Kagezi.
The court heard medical findings related to the physical and mental state of three accused individuals, with each doctor detailing the outcome of their respective examinations.
Senior Clinical Officer SSP Samuel Sasya, based at Nsambya Health Centre IV, told court that he examined suspect John Massajjage on August 31, 2023.
Sasya reported that Massajjage had total blindness in his left eye due to past trauma dating back six years.
Despite this, he was found to be physically healthy and mentally sound, and was also noted to have been on antiretroviral treatment since 2007.
Inspector of Police Dr. Godfrey Kigozi, a medical practitioner attached to Naguru Health Centre IV, gave evidence concerning the examination of John Kibuuka in connection with Criminal Reference Book 26/2015, a murder case originating from Kiwatule Police Station.
Kigozi said the suspect had no visible injuries and was mentally fit.
When questioned by defence lawyer Elizabeth Napora about whether he could still identify Kibuuka in court, Kigozi admitted he could not, attributing this to the volume of patients he sees.
Nonetheless, he insisted: “I am a trained officer; I cannot examine a wrong person.”
Dr Sato Ojara of Market Street Medical Centre in Nakawa told the court he assessed suspect Nasur Abdallah, 39, on November 2, 2023.
While Abdallah had no recent injuries, Ojara observed two old scars on his left shoulder and confirmed he was mentally stable.
Like his counterparts, Ojara could not identify the suspect in the dock, citing the limited and clinical nature of their interaction.
Lead prosecutor Lino Anguzu asked the court for an adjournment to allow the state to bring in additional witnesses.
“We shall have about seven witnesses,” he noted.
Presiding Judge Andrew Bashaija, sitting with three other justices, allowed the request, granting a longer adjournment due to other judicial obligations and international assignments involving the panel. Hearings will resume on July 8, 9, and 10.
Joan Kagezi was assassinated in March 2015 in Kiwatule, Kampala. At the time, she was prosecuting several major terrorism-related cases.
The trial continues.