The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) has secured death and life imprisonment sentences for nine people convicted of the kidnap for ransom and murder of Susan Magara.

On August 5, 2026, Hon. Justice Ajiji Alex Mackay sentenced Nakandi Hajara (A4) and Buvumbo Musa Abas (A9) to death. The court also sentenced A1, A2, A3, A5, A6, A7 and A8 to life imprisonment for their roles in the kidnap with intent to procure a ransom and the murder of Susan Magara.

In determining the sentences, the court said it was guided by the principles of retribution, deterrence, protection of society and the specific roles played by each convict in the commission of the offences.

The court considered the "rarest of the rare" circumstances under Guideline 18 and aggravating factors under Guideline 20 of the Constitution Sentencing Guidelines, 2013. These included the premeditated and highly organised nature of the kidnapping and murder, the extreme brutality and cruelty involved, and the financial motive behind the crime through the demand for ransom.

The court also considered the manner in which the offences were committed, including the cutting off of the victim's fingers, injecting her with ketamine and suffocating her with a polythene bag.

Justice Ajiji further considered the emotional trauma and financial loss suffered by Susan Magara's family, including the loss of USD 200,000 and other expenses, as well as the impact of the crime on public confidence and security. The court also noted that the convicts targeted a particular gender of women and girls.

Although mitigating factors were presented, the court found that the aggravating factors outweighed them and concluded that the offences were exceptionally serious.

The court relied on binding Supreme Court and Court of Appeal authorities in determining the appropriate sentences.

According to the judgment, Nakandi Hajara and Buvumbo Musa Abas were the principal executors of the killing. The court found that they directly participated in injecting and suffocating the deceased and had custody of Susan Magara at both the Nateete and Konge detention locations, placing them at the highest level of culpability.

The remaining seven convicts were found to have acted with a common intention by planning, aiding and facilitating the commission of the offences.

The court also ordered the confiscation and forfeiture of properties acquired using the ransom money. These include 35 acres of land in Buikwe, one acre of land in Luweero, Isuzu trucks, a Coaster minibus, Hiace vans and the motor vehicles used in committing the offences.

The court directed that the proceeds from the sale of the confiscated properties be paid to the family of the late Susan Magara.

The prosecution was led by Chief State Attorneys Sherifah Nalwanga, Irene Nakimbugwe and Joseph Kyomunhendo.