Army denies Pato arrest over Magara killing

Susan Magara.

KAMPALA- The army on Tuesday dismissed claims that for two months it has detained Patrick Agaba aka Pato, a suspect in Susan Magara kidnap and murder, without prosecuting him.

Speaking at a human rights conference in Kampala on Tuesday, Mr Laudislas Rwakafuuzi said Mr Agaba had been arrested by army.

“I was on TV and saw Mr Rwakafuuzi, a respected human rights lawyer telling lies. We don’t have Agaba Patrick in custody and I feel sad that such a distinguished human rights lawyer can tell lies,” Brig Richard Karemire said.
Agaba is an alleged member of the criminal gang that kidnapped Magara on February 7. Magara's body was found dumped near Kigo Prisons on the Entebbe Expressway, 21 days later.

He was reportedly arrested in South Africa three weeks after Magara’s body was recovered.

Media reports indicated that Agaba was arrested after Uganda police contacted their counterparts in South Africa.
It was alleged that he had sneaked out of the country with Shs700 million that was paid as ransom by Magara’s father to her kidnappers.

“I am told that Pato was arrested two months ago and has been in army cells for more two months without trail,” Mr Rwakafuuzi was quoted as saying.

However, Brig Karemire described Mr Rwakafuuzi’s claims as “peddled lies” insisting that army could not have arrested a person whose whereabouts are unknown.

Mr Rwakafuuzi said he was informed about Mr Agaba’s arrest by a Bunyoro Kitara lawyer, a one Muzamiru.

“Counsel Muzamiru told me that he was in detention with Agaba and he asked him to contact me so that he can be released from the cells. He said they were together in cells and Agaba has been there for two months,” Mr Rwakafuuzi said.

However, Muzamiru denied having ever told Mr Rwakafuuzi about Agaba’s arrest. “I don’t know what you are asking me. I have told no one that Agaba was arrested. I don’t know anything about that,” he said.

At least nine people were charged and remanded over Magara kidnap and subsequent murder on May 18.
Weeks earlier, police arraigned seven Sim card vendors for allegedly selling lines that were used by the suspects in Magara killing.
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