KAMPALA- Buganda Road court Grade one magistrate Robert Mukanza has declined to grant permission to the 9 suspects arrested in connection with the kidnap and murder of Susan Magara to the African Centre for Torture victims for further investigations and examinations.
“My court has no jurisdiction to entertain this application. I advise you to petition the High Court which can only hear your application,” Mr Mukanza ruled.
The nine suspects through their lawyer Abdul-Hakim Lubega had made an application to court complaining of torture and inhumane treatment including threats to rape a female suspect, Hajara Nakandi that was meted on them by security agencies while in police custody.
“As a result of this degrading treatments, the suspects have ill spine 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 therefore asked court to refer them to the African Centre for Torture victims that will probe more into these allegations and make a report that will help them (suspects) seek compensation from government.
The suspects who include; an Imam of Usafi mosque Mahad Kasalita , 2 boda-boda riders Yusuf Lubega and Muzamiru Ssali, hawker; Hussein Wasswa, a teacher Hajara Nakandi and businessmen; Abubaker Kyewolwa, Hassan Kato Miiro and Ismail Bukenya together with the recently charged suspect; Musa Abbas Buwembo have now been remanded back to Luzira prison until the 30th/July 2018.
Prosecution states that the 9 suspects and others still on hunt 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
