Entebbe murders: Suspect’s family alleges kidnap plot
Businessman, Ivan Katongole alias Jenus and other suspects disembark from a Uganda prisons bus upon arrival at Entebbe Chief Magistrates court recently. Photo by Paul Adude
What you need to know:
The family claims that unknown operatives have been frequenting homes of different family members asking about Mr Katongole’s nine-year old son. However, police denies being connected to the said operatives.
ENTEBBE/KAMPALA. The family of Mr Ivan Katongole, 30, a businessman who was arrested in September and detained at Kigo Prison in connection with the murder of Rose Nakimuli, a hair dresser in Kitala, Katabi Town Council, is gripped with fear, saying his nine-year old son could be kidnapped.
Mr Katongole’s wife told this reporter that some security operatives recently offered her Shs250m at her home in Katabi to sway her to testify against her husband in a planned kidnap of his only son. Ms Kemirembe said rejected the money.
However, Saturday Monitor could not independently verify Ms Kemirembe’s claims.
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The suspects who included businessman, Ivan Katongole, who has been detained at Nalufenya detention centre for the last one week, on Friday appeared before the court presided over by Ms Mary Kaitesi
According to Ms Kemirembe, the operatives, who she could not name “asked me to sign documents which state that Mr Katongole had killed his nine-year-old son in ritual sacrifice to get wealth”.
“They also told me to agree that he had produced the same child with me. But I told them I had never produced any child with Mr Katongole because the only child he has was from another woman,” she said, adding that the same plain-clothed operatives went to her father-in-law and demanded to see his grandchild.
Mr Rodgers Kaweesa, the father of Mr Katongole, told this newspaper that he was worried because his grandson could be kidnapped.
“We have reported to the local council authorities and police how we are being threatened by some people who claim to be security operatives,” he said.
Mr Augustine Lumala, the area local council chairperson, confirmed that Mr Katongole had reported threats of intimidation to reveal the whereabouts of the child.
However, the Entebbe Police Officer in charge, Samuel Mission denied knowledge of the case and dismissed claims that police was looking for Mr Katongole’s son.
Kampala Metropolitan police deputy spokesperson, Mr Luke Owoyesigire said: “As far as I know, there is no professional police officer who could intimidate the family of any suspect to extract information from them because it’s illegal. However, those could be people who want to take advantage of the current situation to satisfy their interests,” he said.
