In the high-ranking case trial related to the kidnapping and murder of Susan Magara, three key witnesses have taken the stand in the High Court in Kampala. The trial, which has garnered significant attention, is shedding light on the horrifying events that unfolded in February 2018.
The witnesses provided crucial insights into the case:
Yusuf Muhindo: A senior Hansard editor at Parliament, Muhindo recounted a chilling moment when he was on the phone with Susan at the time of the kidnapping. His testimony provides a harrowing firsthand account of the attack.
Sgt Enoch Kiganyira: A police officer, Sgt Kiganyira detailed how they traced the location of the incident with the assistance of Frank Nyakairu, a Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence (CMI) operative. Their collaboration proved essential in the initial stages of the investigation.
Robert Magara: As Susan’s uncle, Robert Magara played a crucial role in identifying one of the suspects. His testimony could prove to be a pivotal piece of evidence in the case.
The nine suspects on trial are facing charges of kidnapping and murder in connection with a ransom scheme involving Susan Magara. Tragically, despite the family’s efforts to comply with the kidnappers’ demands, Susan met a heartbreaking end. Notably, one key suspect was removed from the case just last week.
The prosecution’s case alleges that the accused individuals abducted Susan with the intent of extorting a ransom for her release under the threat of murder. The trial is continuing, and as it unfolds, it provides valuable insights into the events that led to this tragic incident. The court proceedings serve as a means to seek justice for Susan Magara and her grieving family.
Three witnesses have testified in the trial of nine people charged with kidnapping to procure a ransom and murder of Susan Magara.
The witnesses who testified as the hearing of the case kicked off on Monday, October 23, at the High Court in Kampala are Yusuf Muhindo, a senior Hansard editor at Parliament, Sgt Enoch Kiganyira, a Police officer attached to the cybercrime department, and Robert Magara, an uncle to Susan.
The court was presided over by High Court Judge Alex Ajiji Mackay
Muhindo said he was having a phone conversation with Susan when the kidnappers pounced on her on February 7, 2018, and later murdered her in the alleged ransom scheme.
Sgt Kiganyira said it was after Frank Nyakairu, a Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence (CMI) operative who provided him with Susan’s mobile phone coordinates that they managed to trace the exact spot where the incident took place.
On his part, Robert said of the nine suspects, he only knows Ssali because he used to transport their merchandise from Container Village in Kampala to the company’s office at Kabaka Ajangala Road in Mengo.
The witnesses testified under the guidance of chief state attorney Joseph Kyomuhendo and senior state attorney Irene Nakimbugwe, who have been assigned by the DPP to prosecute the matter.
The suspects are Mahad Kisalita, the former imam of Usafi makeshift mosque in Mengo-Kisenyi, Yusuf Lubega, Hussein Wasswa, Muzamiru Ssali, Abubaker Kyewolwa, Hassan Kato Miiro, Amir Bukenya and Hajara Nakandi.
The defence lawyers are Richard Kombuga, Benjamin Mwanda, John Kabagambe and Zaina Nampeera.
Last week, the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) Jane Frances Abodo dropped the charges against Patrick Kashaija alias Pato, who was said to have masterminded the heinous crimes.
Background
Susan, 28, a daughter to businessman John Magara was kidnapped on February 7, 2018, on Kabaka Anjagala road in Mengo as she drove back home in Lungujja and her car was later found abandoned near her gate.
Her kidnappers then contacted the family and demanded $1m dollars (about sh3.65b) before they could release her.
Unfortunately, she was murdered in cold blood and three weeks later her body was recovered from Kigo in Wakiso District where it had been dumped.
At the time of her murder, Susan’s family had paid part of the ransom money of about sh700m to the killers.
The prosecution alleges that the accused and others still at large on February 7, 2018, kidnapped Susan with the intent to procure a ransom for her liberation from the danger of being murdered.
The indictment indicates that Susan was a victim of a ransom scheme hatched by one Yakub Byensi, a former combatant with the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebels who hails from Bunyoro like Susan and that he was known to her family as well Lubega who used to work in Container Village with Susan’s mother. Byensi is still at large.
Armed with insider information, the suspects, according to the prosecution, started trailing Susan until they kidnapped her in Lungujja on her way home.
They allegedly first took her to Nakandi’s home in Nateete and later to Amir Bukenya’s home in Konge II Makindye from where her two fingers were cut off and sent them to her family to show their determination to murder her if ransom money was not paid.
The indictment indicates that the decision to kill Susan was because releasing her would expose the kidnappers.
During her requiem mass at Our Lady of Africa Catholic Church in Mbuya, the family revealed that her killers had chopped off her fingers and sent them together with a recording of the incident to the family.