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Late AIGP Andrew Felix Kaweesi NILE POST The long-delayed trial of men accused of the murder of former Assistant Inspector General of Police Andrew Felix Kaweesi has once again hit a snag after one of the accused failed to appear in court. Bruhan Balyejjusa, a
Late AIGP Andrew Felix Kaweesi
NILE POST
The long-delayed trial of men accused of the murder of former Assistant Inspector General of Police Andrew Felix Kaweesi has once again hit a snag after one of the accused failed to appear in court.
Bruhan Balyejjusa, also known as Jimmy Masiga, is now the second suspect to jump bail in the high-profile case.
His whereabouts remain unknown even to his sureties, prompting the court to adjourn the proceedings until April 24, 2025, in hopes of locating him.
Balyejjusa joins Shafiq Kasujja, who also disappeared after being granted bail, further stalling the case.
The court has set a new date for the trial in the hope that either Balyejjusa or his sureties will appear by then.
Andrew Felix Kaweesi was a senior Ugandan police officer who served as the Uganda Police Force spokesperson and director of human resource development.
Born in 1974, he was assassinated on March 17, 2017, at the age of 43. Gunmen shot him dead near his home in Kulambiro, Kampala, alongside his bodyguard and driver.
Bad weather delays court
Heavy rain disrupted the usual proceedings, delaying the arrival of judges and the commencement of the trial.
The six accused persons had to wait for an extended period before the arrival of the four judges presiding over the case— Winifred Nabisinde, Susan Okalany, Richard Wabwire Wejuli, and Andrew Bashaija.
The session finally began at 2pm.
Out of the eight accused, six were present in court, leaving the trial unable to proceed due to the absence of two suspects, including Balyejjusa.
While the prosecution had its first witness prepared to testify, the defense requested additional time to locate the missing accused.
Henry Kunya, the attorney representing the defense, confirmed that Balyejjusa’s sureties have been unable to provide any information on his whereabouts.
"We were hoping to proceed today, but the situation has left us in a standstill," Kunya said.
"We’re requesting the court for more time to locate the missing suspect."
In light of the ongoing issues with absent defendants, Judge Winifred Nabisinde adjourned the case to allow more time for Balyejjusa to be located.
"We have no choice but to give more time for the sureties or the accused to appear before the court," Judge Nabisinde said.
Meanwhile, the two other accused persons, Abdul Rashid Mbaziira and Aramanzani Noordin Higenyi, who are facing charges in the same case, were further remanded in prison.
The two have been in custody for the past eight years as the trial has faced numerous delays.
The case revolves around the brutal murder of Kaweesi, the former police spokesman, along with his bodyguard Kenneth Erau and driver Geoffrey Mambewo, in Kulambiro, eight years ago.
Although several people were initially arrested in connection with the murder, only eight individuals have been formally charged and committed to trial.
However, the ongoing disappearances of key accused have further delayed the judicial process, leaving many frustrated by the lack of resolution.
With the new court date set for April 24, 2025, all eyes will be on whether Balyejjusa or his sureties will come forward, or if more delays will plague this already drawn-out case.
The murder of Kaweesi and his colleagues remains a point of national interest, and the search for justice continues.