Prosecution Seeks Death Penalty for Convicted Susan Magara Killers

State prosecutors have asked the High Court to impose the death penalty on nine suspects convicted of murdering 28-year-old businesswoman Susan Magara in 2018.

This request comes as prosecutors informed trial judge Alex Mackay Ajiji that the kidnapping and murder of Susan Magara fall into the category of “the rarest of the rare” cases. They argued that the cruelty inflicted on her by the kidnappers, as well as the emotional and financial distress caused to her family and the community, warrant capital punishment.

Prosecutors Joseph Kyomuhendo, Irene Nakimbugwe, and Sharifah also requested that the court orders the nine convicts to compensate the Magara family with $200,000 (700 million shillings), which is the amount they paid in ransom to the kidnappers, who ultimately killed their daughter.

Additionally, the state believes that the convicts should not profit from their crimes. They are asking the court to forfeit 35 acres of land in Buikwe, one acre in Luweero, and several vehicles acquired with the ransom money. The state requests that these assets be valued and sold, with the proceeds going to the Magara family.

The court has also been asked to confiscate the three vehicles used by the convicts to conduct surveillance, kidnap, and dispose of Susan Magara’s body.

Flora Magara, Susan’s aunt, was given the opportunity to speak in court and agreed with the prosecutors that the convicts deserve the death penalty. She emphasized that her niece was young and resourceful, but her life was cut short due to greed.

The suspects expressed condolences to the Magara family but quickly requested a more lenient sentence, citing their status as first offenders and sole breadwinners for their young families.

Through their state-funded lawyer, Richard Kumbuga, the convicts argued that imposing the death penalty would not benefit the nation, which has already suffered the loss of a young life in Susan Magara.