The High Court in Kampala has sentenced two of the nine people convicted over the kidnap and murder of Susan Magara to death, while the other seven will serve life imprisonment. Justice Alex Mackay Ajiji on Wednesday sentenced Hajara Nakandi and Abbas Musa Buwembo (also referred to as Buvumbo) to suffer death. The court found they played the most direct roles in the killing. Nakandi was found to have remained with Magara throughout her captivity and influenced the decision to kill her after the victim had spent enough time with the group to identify them. Buwembo carried out the most violent acts, including severing two of Magara’s fingers during ransom negotiations, injecting her with ketamine and suffocating her. The seven others — Yusuf Lubega, Mahad Kisalita, Ismail Bukenya, Abubaker Kyewokya, Hassan Wasswa, Hussein Kato Miiro and Muzamir Ssali — were sentenced to life imprisonment for their roles in planning, aiding and facilitating the offences. Justice Ajiji ruled that the aggravating factors, including the premeditated and highly organised nature of the crime, the extreme brutality and the financial motive, far outweighed any mitigating circumstances. He also appreciated the investigators who worked on the case. The court ordered the confiscation and forfeiture of properties acquired using the ransom money, including land in Buikwe and Luweero as well as vehicles, with proceeds to be paid to Magara’s family. Magara, 28, was abducted in February 2018, held for nearly three weeks and murdered despite her family paying a substantial ransom. The convicts have 14 days to appeal.