Susan Magara murder case: DPP drops charges against prime suspect

The director of public prosecutions, Jane Frances Abodo, has withdrawn kidnap and murder charges against Patrick Agaba, commonly known as Kasaija or Agaba Pato, the primary suspect in the murder of 28-year-old Susan Magara, a cashier at Bwendero Dairy Farm.

The decision came be- fore Kampala High court Criminal division registrar Lawrence Tweyanze during hearing on Monday, October 16. Ten individuals had initially been accused in the kidnap and subsequent murder of Magara. Other suspects include Abas Buvumbo, Yusuf Lubega, Hussein Wasswa, Muzamiru Ssali, Hassan Kato Miiro, Hajara Nakandi, Abubaker Kyewolwa, Mahad Kasalita and Ismail Bukenya.

It was alleged that the accused kidnapped Magara on February 7, 2018, intending to secure a ransom. However, on February 27, 2018, in Kigo, Wakiso district, they brutally murdered her.

Senior State Attorney Irene Nakimbugwe presented the court with a withdrawal letter from DPP Abodo on Monday, stating that she had lost interest in pursuing charges against Agaba. Article 120 of the Ugandan Constitution empowers the DPP to institute or withdraw criminal charges without providing reasons.

Notably, although implicated in this case, Agaba had never been formally arraigned and charged for this crime. He was extradited from South Africa on May 15, 2019, following Magara’s murder but was initially charged with kidnapping in a separate case before Buganda Road Magistrate’s court.

Agaba was later granted bail after spending several months in Luzira prison on remand. The case had stalled due to a funding shortfall within the judiciary, an issue reportedly resolved recently. As a result, Registrar Tweyanze had no choice but to endorse the withdrawal of charges against Agaba.

The case has drawn significant attention, shedding light on an alleged kidnap-for-ransom scheme orchestrated by the suspects, some of whom remain at large. Evidence suggests that the group planned to target affluent individuals and their families.

Magara, tragically, was their first victim. Prosecution alleges that after securing $200,000 (approximately Shs 700 million at the time) in ransom money, the kidnappers killed Magara and disposed of her body. Several assets, including land titles and motor vehicles purchased using the ransom money, have been recovered by the police.

The case has been adjourned to October 23, 2023, for further hearings.