Susan Magara Murder: Two Sentenced to Death, Seven Get Life Imprisonment

The High Court has delivered a stern judgment in the highly publicized case of businesswoman Susan Magara’s kidnap and murder. Two of the nine individuals found guilty have been sentenced to death, with the court ordering the execution of Hajara Nakandi and Musa Abaas Buvumbo. The remaining seven convicts have each received life imprisonment sentences.

Justice Alex Mackay Ajiiji emphasized that the harsh penalties aim to prevent the convicts from benefiting from their heinous crime. The court also ordered the confiscation and sale of land and vehicles allegedly purchased with ransom money, with the proceeds to be returned to Magara’s family.

Musa Abaas Buvumbo is believed to have been directly involved in the gruesome acts, including cutting off Magara’s fingers, which were sent to her family as part of the ransom demand. He is also accused of administering a substance and suffocating her.

The prosecution had argued for the death penalty, highlighting the premeditated and brutal nature of the crime. They presented evidence that Magara’s family paid a ransom of $200,000 (approximately Shs700 million) yet she was still murdered. Yusuf Lubega was identified as the principal planner and coordinator of the operation.

The prosecution detailed that Magara was abducted on February 7, 2018, and held for 20 days. She was killed on February 27, 2018, after her captors sent proof of their actions to her family. Her body was later found dumped in Kigo, Wakiso District.

Magara’s aunt, Flora Magara, pleaded with the court for the death penalty, sharing the ongoing grief and suffering of her family. The defense lawyers requested leniency, citing that the convicts were first-time offenders and appealing for consideration of their individual roles and the impact on their families.

All nine were convicted of kidnapping with intent to procure a ransom and consequential murder, as the court found the prosecution’s case proven beyond a reasonable doubt. The murder remains one of Uganda’s most prominent and shocking kidnap-for-ransom cases from 2018.

This case was reported by Nile Post.