The High Court has sentenced nine people to death over the kidnap and murder of businesswoman Susan Magara, bringing to a close one of Uganda’s most shocking criminal cases.
The convicts were found guilty of kidnap with intent to obtain a ransom and the subsequent murder of Magara. The court handed down the death sentence after earlier convicting them and hearing mitigation.
Those sentenced are Yusuf Lubega, Hussein Wasswa, Muzamiru Ssali, Hajara Nakandi, Abubaker Kyewolwa, Mahad Kasalita, Hassan Kato Miiro, Musa Abbas Buwembo and Ismail Bukenya.
justice Alex Mackay Ajiji ordered the confiscation and sale of property acquired using ransom proceeds, including vehicles and land. The money realised from the sales will be paid to the family of the deceased.
Magara, 28, was kidnapped in 2018 by unknown assailants while on her way home in Lungujja, Lubaga division.
Court heard that she was held captive for about three weeks, tortured and later killed despite her family paying a ransom of about $200,000 (approximately Shs 700 million).
The suspects were arrested in April during an operation at Usafi mosque conducted by a joint security team comprising the Uganda Police Force, the Uganda People’s Defence Force and the Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence.
According to security agencies, the operation followed intelligence linking the group to Magara’s murder and other criminal activities.
During the trial, which began in October 2023, the prosecution presented several witnesses, including Yusuf Muhindo, a senior Hansard editor at Parliament, police officer Sgt Enock Kiganyira and members of the victim’s family.
Magara’s father, John Magara, told court that the kidnappers initially demanded $1 million (about Shs 3 billion) for her release before the family paid part of the ransom.
He testified that the family later received a package allegedly containing the victim’s fingers and was subsequently informed that her body had been recovered in Kigo.
Flora Megara, the deceased’s paternal aunt, also testified that she delivered the ransom money to the kidnappers along Busabala road.
The murder sparked widespread public outrage and heightened concern over kidnappings for ransom in Uganda, prompting calls for tougher action against organised criminal networks.
