Magara's murder: State submits to court 12 audio clips detailing kidnapers’ conversation

It was a chilling moment in court as the state prosecutors played audio recordings of conversations with suspected kidnappers in the trial of nine people charged with the murder of Susan Magara, a former cashier at Bwendero Dairy.

The audios, consisting of demands of a ransom by the alleged kidnappers of the 28-year-old which were recorded in February 2018 shortly before she was murdered, were on Tuesday tendered before the High Court judge, Alex Ajiji for identification.

In the audios which were identified by the deceased’s father, John Magara, the alleged kidnappers were heard demanding for a ransom. In another audio recording, Magara’s mother, Immaculate Magara, was heard pleading with the kidnappers to talk to her instead of her husband.
Court heard that one of the people in the audio recordings was identified as Yakub Byensi who hails from Masindi District but was not among the suspects in court.

The state prosecutor tendered in court about 12 audio clips for identification before they admitted as exhibits in the case.
Mr John Magara, a fifth prosecution witness, narrated to court that he did not know any of the accused people but he kept receiving phone calls from one person who kept demanding for $1million as ransom for his kidnapped daughter.

“After the news of the kidnap, I and my wife Immaculate Magara tried to get news about Susan but failed until my wife got a phone call from a male stranger speaking Runyoro, saying that they had Susan in their custody. At this time, we got a sigh of relief that at least we now know she’s still alive,” Mr Magara narrated.

Adding: “At that moment they did not mention how much they needed to release Susan as I tried to avoid negotiations until at the third phone call when I accepted and they said they wanted $1million. At one time my wife accepted to offer Shs100 million but the kidnapper rejected it and said they would give us a discount of $50 million.”
Mr Magara told court that he got a chance to talk to his daughter on phone and assured her that they were trying hard to raise the ransom.

“My daughter was in a state of tears, impatient, pleading ‘Please do it so fast and pay the ransom,” Mr Magara told court.
Court further heard that on February 15 and 19 of 2018, the kidnappers made two attempts to pick the money but on both occasions became apprehensive and abandoned their mission after learning that Magara’s father had involved police. 

The kidnappers phoned John’s sister, Ms Flora Magara warning her that John had failed to honor his promise of not involving police.
Mr Magara further narrated that on February 24, 2018, his sister Flora delivered the ransom of $200,000 at Kanaaba Ndejje village, off Busabala road as per the directions given by the kidnapper.

“We waited on the next day (February 25) at home to see Susan back but instead I received a call from AIGP Byakagaba who asked me to go and identify a body with two missing fingers on the Kigo side at Entebbe Expressway. I reached the scene and identified my daughter after looking at her face,” Mr Magara narrated.

The nine suspects in court include Yususf Lubega, Hussein Wasswa, Muzamiru Ssali, Hajara Nakandi, Abubaker Kyewolwa, Mahad Kisalita. Others are Hassan Kato Miiro, Ismail Bukenya and Musa Abbas Buvumbo.    
The state prosecutors, Ms Irene Nakimbugwe and Mr Joseph Kyomuhendo told court that the suspects on remand and others still at large on February 7, 2018 kidnapped Magara, a cashier at Bwedero Dairy Farm (BDF) with intent to procure a ransom or benefit from her liberation from the danger of being murdered.

The judge said court proceedings would continue today with hearing of testimonies from more prosecution witnesses.
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