KAMPALA – Nine suspects accused of kidnapping and murdering Susan Magara have cried out to court over torture that led to body complications while in police custody.
The suspects through their lawyer Abdul-Hakim Lubega complained of torture and inhumane treatment including threats to rape one of them, Hajara Nakandi, by security agencies while in police custody.
“As a result of this degrading treatments, the suspects have ailing spinal cords in addition to both hearing and seeing impairments, thus seeking for further examination to the African Centre for Torture victims; an independent organisation that will probe more into these claims and make a report,” Mr Lubega said.
The suspects appeared before the presiding Grade One magistrate Robert Mukanza at Buganda Road Court who adjourned the case to July 30, when he will make a ruling on whether to refer torture claims by the nine suspects to the African Centre for Torture victims.
However, the State prosecutor, Ms Patricia Cingitho, informed court that police inquiries into the case are in advanced stages.
She asked court for an adjournment of a few weeks to enable police conclude them and have the suspects committed to High Court for trial.
The suspects who include an Imam of Usafi mosque Mahad Kasalita, two boda-boda riders Yusuf Lubega and Muzamiru Ssali, Hussein Wasswa, a hawker, a teacher Hajara Nakandi and businessmen Abubaker Kyewolwa, Hassan Kato Miiro and Ismail Bukenya and the recently charged suspect Musa Abbas Buwembo, have now been remanded back to Luzira prison until July 30, 2018.
Prosecution states that the nine suspects and others still at large on February 7, 2018 kidnapped Magara with intent to procure a ransom or benefit from her liberation from the danger of being murdered before going ahead to end her life on the Feb 27, 2018 at Kigo in Wakiso District.
