Kidnappers Demand $200,000 Ransom, Murder Susan Magara: Family’s Account
In a court session presided over by Justice Alex Ajiji, family members of the late Susan Magara provided a detailed account of how kidnappers demanded a $200,000 ransom and later tragically ended her life.
The family testified that negotiations with the kidnappers resulted in a demand for $200,000. The kidnappers instructed them to drop the ransom at Kanaaba-Ndejje Village, located off Busaabala Road in Makindye-Ssaabagabo.
Susan’s aunt, Ms. Florence Magara, revealed that she received a message from the kidnappers on February 7, 2018, demanding the ransom. On February 22, the kidnappers instructed her to collect the ransom from her brother, John Magara, who they accused of not fulfilling their agreement.
“On that very night of February 22, my brother gave me bundles of US dollars, but I did not count it. The kidnapper called me again at about 8 pm and told me to wait for further instructions,” testified Ms. Florence.
The following morning, on February 23, as she was walking to town, she received a missed call from the kidnapper. He asked for her car’s number plate and instructed her to drive to Makindye – Military barracks and park at Sim Towers. From there, she was directed to drive to Busaabala Road, near Kibiri Primary School, to pick up a phone and continue driving. She was then instructed to take a boda-boda to Ndejje Parents School, where she dropped the money in the middle of the road on February 24, 2018.
After complying with the kidnappers’ instructions and dropping the money, Ms. Florence returned home, expecting Susan to be released. However, instead of Susan’s return, John Magara received a phone call instructing him to identify a body that had been dumped on Entebbe Expressway.
The family’s testimony is part of the ongoing trial of nine men accused of kidnapping and murdering Susan Magara in February 2018. The suspects include Yusuf Lubega, Hussein Wasswa, Muzamiru Ssali, Hajara Nakandi, Abubaker Kyewolwa, Mahad Kisalita, Hassan Kato Miiro, Ismail Bukenya, and Musa Abbas Buvumbo.
Renata Regina Magara, Susan’s sister, testified that she learned of her sister’s kidnapping while in Nairobi, Kenya. She confirmed the incident through her parents, who had received calls from the kidnapper. She also downloaded automatic voice recorders on their mobile phones to record the conversations, confirming the ransom amount to be $200,000.
Renata further testified that when she opened the package sent to her father, she discovered two fingers, which she recognized as similar to her own.
Other family members who testified in the case included Mr. John Magara and his wife, Immaculate.
The trial judge, Justice Alex Ajiji, extended the hearing of the case to October 30, 2023.
According to the prosecution, the suspects, both in custody and at large, kidnapped Susan Magara on February 7, 2018, with the intent to demand a ransom or benefit from her release, thus putting her life in danger.
