Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Uganda Monitor
Published on 2024-03-25 17:12:42
In court in Kampala, a digital forensic examiner revealed that Susan Magara, the slain Bwendero Dairy cashier, had cried out to her family to pay a ransom to her kidnappers in order to regain her freedom. Enoch Kanene, a certified digital forensic examiner with the Uganda Police’s Cyber Crimes Unit, testified that he examined exhibits which included a video of Magara pleading with her parents to comply with the kidnappers’ demands without involving the police. The video, captured on February 19, 2018, showed Magara expressing her desperation for help and emphasizing the importance of following the instructions given to secure her release.
Kanene detailed his findings from the memory card received on February 21, 2018, which contained images and the distressing video of Magara. He described the contents of the video, highlighting Magara’s emotional state and the presence of a male voice directing her actions. Moreover, he noted a white bandage on Magara’s left hand, indicating possible injuries she had sustained during captivity. Kanene’s testimony provided crucial evidence in the case against nine individuals accused of Magara’s murder in 2018.
The Digital Department, where Kanene is attached, specializes in cybercrimes and computer-related investigations. They assist in retrieving digital evidence using accredited devices to support law enforcement agencies, the DPP’s office, and the judiciary. Kanene also presented three consent letters from Magara’s family members, authorizing the police to extract information from their phones. These phones contained audio files of conversations between the suspects and the family members, as well as images retrieved from a memory card showing soldiers in a war zone and pictures of the deceased.
Additionally, Cpl Shamira Barasa, an army officer deployed in Somalia, testified about the arrest of one suspect, Hajara Nakandi, in connection with Magara’s abduction and murder. Barasa described the arrest process and the lack of resistance from the suspect. The ongoing trial involves nine individuals accused of kidnapping and murdering Magara, including Yususf Lubega, Hussein Wasswa, Muzamiru Ssali, and others.
The prosecution alleges that the suspects abducted Magara on February 7, 2018, with the intention of securing a ransom for her release or gaining other benefits. The case continues to unfold in court, shedding light on the tragic events surrounding Magara’s disappearance and murder. As the investigation progresses, more details are expected to emerge, providing a clearer picture of the events leading to Magara’s untimely death.
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