9-year-old pupil, man kidnapped in Mbale
Missing. Merida Nandudu
What you need to know:
- Cases. In February, three-year-old Darlene Lydia Muduwa, who was allegedly kidnapped by a housemaid in Mbale District on January 18, was found in Amuria District. At least 19 cases of kidnaps were recorded across the country in May over the past eight weeks. This, according to a report by the Criminal Investigations Department represented a 150 per cent increase in kidnaps compared to the eight cases recorded in the first six weeks of the year.
Police in Mbale District have launched an operation to rescue a 61-year-old man and a nine-year-old girl, who were kidnapped in Mbale District in separate incidents.
Police said Mr Bernard Emmanuel Makoba, a resident of Kikyafu Cell, Nabuyonga Ward in Northern Division was reportedly kidnapped on his way to Kasese District last week.
“It is believed that Makoba was kidnapped on his way to Kasese for his businesses and since then, the suspected kidnappers have been calling family members for a ransom using a mobile number, which we are now tracking,” Mr Robert Tukei, the Elgon region police spokesperson, said on Sunday.
His relatives say the suspects have been demanding a ransom of Shs800,000.
Another kidnap incident involves Merida Nandudu, a pupil at Masaba Primary School in Nakaloke Town Council, who was reportedly kidnapped on her way home from school on October 23 at about 1pm.
“We have kicked off the operation and investigations into both cases,” Mr Tukei said.
Mr Abdulatiff Kamba, Nandudu’s uncle, said although no one has called them demanding a ransom, they suspect that their daughter was kidnapped.
“We have tried to recover our girl but in vain, and we are losing hope. We have even placed some radio announcements,” he said.
Mr Kamba said the victim was wearing a yellow uniform when she disappeared.
“We request police to help us recover our missing beloved daughter. We are worried and we are living in fear,” he added.
Mr John Waswa, the head teacher of Masaba Primary School, said they learnt of the victim’s disappearance the following day since they normally send Primary One pupils at home at 1pm.
