crime 3 August 2026 The Observer (Uganda)
Nine Convicted in Brutal Kidnap and Murder of Susan Magara
A Ugandan court has convicted nine individuals for the kidnapping and murder of Susan Magara, a crime involving a ransom demand, severed fingers, and eventual death after nearly three weeks in captivity. Justice Alex Mackay Ajiji found the accused guilty of jointly planning and executing the abduction and murder. Source: https://observer.ug/news/nine-convicted-over-kidnap-murder-of-susan-magara
Nine people have been found guilty by Justice Alex Mackay Ajiji for the 2018 kidnap and murder of Susan Magara, daughter of businessman John Magara. The court convicted Yusuf Lubega, Mahad Kisalita, Ismail Bukenya, Abubaker Kyewokya, Hassan Wasswa, Abbas Musa Buwembo, Hussein Kato Miiro, Hajjara Nakandi, and Muzamir Ssali of kidnapping Magara with intent to procure a ransom, and subsequently murdering her.
Magara was abducted from Lungujja, Kampala, on February 7, 2018. During her captivity, which lasted nearly three weeks, her family was contacted for ransom, initially demanding between $1 million and $1.5 million. Following negotiations, the demand was reduced to $200,000, which the family paid.
Evidence presented to the court revealed a brutal sequence of events. On February 19, 2018, Magara’s family received a package containing two of her severed fingers and a flash disk with a video of her pleading for the ransom to be paid. Forensic analysis confirmed the fingers belonged to Magara and that she was alive when they were cut off, an act described by the judge as deliberate torture to pressure the family.
Despite the ransom payment on February 23, 2018, Magara was not released. Her body was discovered on February 27, 2018, at Kitiko-Birongo village. The postmortem examination concluded she died from manual strangulation.
Justice Ajiji’s ruling heavily relied on extensive evidence, including telecommunications data, forensic reports, witness testimonies, and the accused’s financial records. Phone records placed the accused in constant communication and at various crime-related locations. Furthermore, some of the convicts led investigators to key sites, including where Magara was held and where her body was dumped. The court also noted that several convicts acquired significant assets shortly after the ransom was paid, with unconvincing explanations for the source of funds.
While the alleged masterminds, Yakub Byensi and Hakim Lugolobi, remain at large, the court found the evidence sufficient to prove the guilt of the nine convicted individuals beyond a reasonable doubt, establishing their common intention and participation in the heinous crime. Sentencing is scheduled to follow mitigation arguments.
This report is based on information from The Observer (Uganda).