Two Luweero children rescued from suspected kidnapper

Savana Regional Police Commander, Mr Edward Kyaligonza (R) handing over the twin sisters to their parents after they were rescued from suspected kidnapper. PHOTO BY DAN WANDERA

What you need to know:

  • Police say this is the first kidnap case to be recorded in Luweero District in the past two years.

Police say they have rescued two girls from a suspected kidnapper who had relocated from Luweero District to a Guest House in Masindi District where he asked for Shs13 million ransom from the parents.
Savana Region Police Commander, Mr Edward Kyaligonza who on Thursday identified the suspect as Charles Ayesiga said he tricked the twin girls aged five at the home of their parents in Mabaale zone, Luweero Town Council to buy some eats but later disappeared with them without the consent of the parents.

“The parents, Ms Susan Nakagwa and Mr Juma Nsereko reported the case of disappearance of their twin daughters to Kasana Police Station on Monday evening after they reportedly failed to return from school. Police used the intelligence department to track the calls of the suspect and location as he kept asking for the money to release the Children. With the help of Masindi Police, we managed to locate the suspect’s hideout. He had booked in at Masindi Guest House with the two Children,” Kyaligonza said on Thursday.

The Children who according to police were found in good health have been re-united with their parents while the suspect who faces charges related to Child Kidnap is still helping police with the investigation process before he is handed arraigned in court.

The suspect according to Savana Region Police spokesperson, Mr Paul Kangave on interrogation claimed that he had no intention of harming the young girls but wanted to get money from the parents for survival.
“The suspect reportedly migrated from Masindi to Kasana Town in Luweero District in January 2018. He reportedly tried to get a job as a security guard at one of the schools in Luweero Town Council but was unsuccessful. This information was very helpful to the police. We appeal to the general public to be vigilant and take time to know the type and behavior of people within their respective areas,” Mr Kangave said.

The two children are pupils at Excel Bright Future Primary School and were in Pre-primary class. They did not return home from school after reportedly being diverted by the suspect to unknown place when he convinced them with some eats. The suspect was reportedly renting near the home of their parents.
Mr Paul Kanakulya, a resident of Mabaale village on seeing the suspect after the arrest claimed that he had seen him several times in Kasana Town but had not known his character because he looked very humble and possibly a casual labourer.

“His face is not new to me. I have seen him several times in Kasana Town but did not take trouble to find out where he resides. It is unfortunate that we have people with such evil intentions,” Mr Kanakulya.
Police say this is the first kidnap case to be recorded in Luweero District in the past two years.
“We have not registered cases involving child kidnap in the past two years. We have the prime suspect in our custody to guide our investigation process, the District CIID officer, Mr Raymond Jagwe said.