Magara murder case: Accused’s sister gives contradictory testimony

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The High Court in Kampala on Thursday (March 12) was thrown into confusion after the sister of one of the accused in the Susan Magara kidnapping and murder trial gave testimony that contradicted his earlier defence.

Abbas Musa Buvumbo, who is among the nine people accused of kidnapping and murdering Magara, had earlier told court that on February 7, 2018, he was in Kiboga for a family convention.

However, while testifying on Thursday, Mariam Nakandi, 30, said they were with him in Mityana district on the same day, raising questions about which of the two accounts is accurate. High Court judge Alex Mackay Ajiji is presiding over the trial.

Nakandi told court they spent about one week in Mityana district and that she was shocked to see Buvumbo among those charged with Magara’s murder.

When cross-examined by Chief State Attorneys Sherifah Nalwanga and Irene Nakimbugwe on whether Buvumbo lied when he said he was in Kiboga, Nakandi did not respond.

Buvumbo is facing trial together with Yusuf Lubega, Mahad Kisalita, Abubaker Kyewolwa, Muzamir Ssali, Ismail Bukenya, Hussein Wasswa, Hassan Kato Miiro and Hajarah Nakandi.

The prosecution alleges that Buvumbo chopped off two of Magara’s fingers in an attempt to force her family to pay ransom. The case resumes on March 26.

Susan Magara, 28, a daughter of businessman John Magara, was kidnapped on February 7, 2018, along Kabaka Anjagala Road in Mengo, a Kampala suburb, as she drove back to her home about three kilometres away.

Her captors later contacted the family and demanded $1m, about sh3.65b, in exchange for her release.

Although the family delivered $200,000, about sh700m, to the kidnappers, Magara was murdered. Her body was recovered three weeks later, on February 27, 2018, in Kigo, Wakiso District, where it had been dumped.

Other witness

Yunus Kato Bukenya, the father of one of the accused, Bukenya, defended his son, saying he personally gave him sh20m to buy a car. Kato said he obtained the money after the family sold land in 2017.

“After selling the family land, I was given sh30m, and I gave sh20m to my son (Bukenya),” the 60-year-old Kato said.

Christine Nansubuga, the wife of Bukenya, told court that in February 2018, they were living in Konge.

However, she denied allegations that the house where Magara was allegedly kept for some days before her death belonged to them.

Nansubuga also said her husband owns several vehicles, including two commuter taxis and a Toyota Corona.

Another witness, Fazir Gombe, 44, the husband of Nakandi, told court that the house in Nateete where Magara was allegedly kept after her kidnapping belongs to his mother-in-law.

Gombe said that although their matrimonial home is in Maganjo, Wakiso District, Nakandi operated her liquid soap business from her mother’s home in Nateete.

He told court he married Nakandi in 2006 and that they have two children together. According to Gombe, before her arrest, Nakandi owned several properties, including a coaster used for commuter transport.

Asked about the source of her income, Gombe said she worked with Security Link, a labour externalisation firm, as a liaison officer, in addition to running other businesses, including selling liquid soap.

Asked whether he was aware that his wife had previously been involved in a family kidnap scandal, Gombe said he was not aware.

When asked whether Nakandi always stayed at their home, Gombe said she sometimes stayed with her mother in Nateete.

The allegations

The prosecution alleges that the accused, together with others still at large, kidnapped Magara on February 7, 2018, with the intention of obtaining ransom for her release from the danger of being murdered.

The indictment states that Magara was targeted in a ransom scheme allegedly orchestrated by Byensi, a former Allied Democratic Forces combatant from Bunyoro who was known to her family.

According to the prosecution, the suspects planned the kidnapping before carrying it out on February 7, 2018.

After the abduction, the suspects allegedly first held Magara at Nakandi’s home in Nateete before moving her to Bukenya’s residence in Konge II, Makindye Division, Kampala. While there, her two fingers were allegedly chopped off and sent to her family to demonstrate their determination to kill her if the ransom was not paid.

The indictment further states that the suspects later resolved to kill her because releasing her would expose them.

Prosecution also alleges that part of the ransom money was used to purchase land in Buikwe and Luwero districts.