9 Suspects in Magara Murder Including Imam Remanded to Luzira

Nine people including traders, boda boda cyclists and an Imam of Usafi mosque have today been charged in court and remanded to Luzira prison for their alleged involvement in the death of Susan Magara in February this year.

The nine were produced at Buganda Road Chief Magistrate’s Court on Friday afternoon and charged with two counts; kidnap with intent to procure a ransom, and murder.

The accused include Hassan Kato Miiro, Ismail Bukenya, Patrick Kasaija, Yusuf Lubega, Hajara Nakandi, Abubaker Kyewolwa, Hussein Wasswa and Muzamiru Ssali.

The other is Mahad Kasalita, said to be an Imam at Usafi Mosque in downtown Kampala.

Their charges were read to them by the Buganda Road Chief Magistrate, Charles Yeteise.

Given the fact that the charges labelled against them are capital in nature and outside the jurisdiction of a magistrate’s court, the nine could not be allowed to enter a plea.

It is upon this background that the Magistrate remanded them to Luzira prison until June 1 when they can be committed to High Court.

The State accuses the nine suspects, including others who are still at large of kidnapping Susan Magara on February 7 this year with intent to procure a ransom and later killing Magara on February 27.

According to Magara’s family, her captors cut off two of her fingers which were sent to them (family) prior to killing her. Her killers are said to have used unregistered simcards in communicating with the family for ransom, to hide their tracks.

Police together with the military recently conducted a raid on a mosque near Usafi where some of the suspected Magara killers were picked and apprehended.