Judgment in Susan Magara murder trial due today
Court heard that the ransom seekers chopped off two of Suzan Magara's fingers, packed them in an envelope together with a flash drive containing footage of the act, and sent them to her family in a bid to compel them to pay the ransom. Despite the family delivering $200,000 (about sh700m) to the kidnappers, Magara was brutally murdered by her captors.
Despite the family delivering $200,000 (about sh700m) to the kidnappers, Magara was brutally murdered by her captors.
KAMPALA - The Criminal Division of the High Court in Kampala is expected to deliver its judgment today (Monday, August 3) in the February 2018 kidnapping and murder case of Susan Magara after about six years of protracted trial.
The verdict will determine the fate of Yusuf Lubega, Mahad Kisalita, Ismail Bukenya, Muzamir Ssali, Abubaker Kyewolwa, Hassan Wasswa, Abbas Musa Buvumbo, Hussein Kato Miiro and Hajara Nakandi, who have been indicted over the crimes.
Trial judge Alex Mackay Ajiji, who has been hearing the case for the past six years, is expected to deliver the judgment at 10:00 am.
Last week, court assessors Sarah Babirye, Brenda Magoba and Ritah Padera recommended the conviction of all nine accused as indicted, saying the prosecution had proved all the ingredients of the offences of kidnapping with intent to procure a ransom and murder beyond reasonable doubt.
Susan Magara, the 28-year-old daughter of businessman John Magara, was kidnapped on February 7, 2018, along Kabaka Anjagala Road in Mengo, a Kampala suburb, as she drove back to her home about three kilometres away.
Court heard that the ransom seekers chopped off two of her fingers, packed them in an envelope together with a flash drive containing footage of the act, and sent them to her family in a bid to compel them to pay the ransom.
Despite the family delivering $200,000 (about sh700m) to the kidnappers, Magara was brutally murdered by her captors.
Three weeks later, on February 27, 2018, her body was recovered from Kigo in Wakiso district, where it had been dumped.
Chief State Attorneys Joseph Kyomuhendo, Sherifah Nalwanga and Irene Nakimbugwe prosecuted the case, while John Kabagambe, Richard Kabagambe and Simon Wanda jointly represented the accused during the protracted trial.
The case
The prosecution alleges that the accused, together with others still at large, kidnapped Magara on February 7, 2018, with the intention of procuring a ransom for her release.
The indictment states that Magara was targeted in a ransom scheme allegedly masterminded by Yakub Byensi, a former Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) combatant who hails from Bunyoro, like Magara, and was known to her family.
According to the prosecution, the suspects began trailing her before abducting her. They allegedly first held her at Nakandi's home in Nateete before later moving her to Bukenya's home in Konge II, Makindye Division, Kampala.
Magara's two fingers were chopped off and sent to her family as proof that the kidnappers were determined to kill her if the ransom was not paid.
The indictment states that the suspects resolved to kill her because releasing her would expose them.
The prosecution further alleges that the suspects used part of the ransom money to purchase several motor vehicles and land in Buikwe and Luwero districts.