Kidnappers demand Shs4m to free pupils

Kampala. Police in Kanungu District are hunting for Congolese gunmen who kidnapped two primary school pupils at the weekend.
The police spokesperson for Kigezi sub-region, Mr Elly Maate, identified the pupils as Akim Niwagaba, 13, and Ramathan Ayinamani, 10, all of Ntungamo Primary School in Butogota Town Council.

Mr Maate said the pupils were kidnapped on Saturday at around mid-day as they were tending to rice gardens in Manure, Bugarama Cell in Binza Sub-county, Democratic Republic of Congo.

He said the kidnapped children were with their mother, Ms Joselyne Ampeire, when the two armed men dressed in rag-tag military uniforms struck. He added that the pupils are sons of Mr Seth Bahati, a resident of Eastern Ward in Butogota Town Council.

The demand
Mr Jackson Tukahirwa, an uncle of the kidnapped pupils, yesterday said the kidnappers are demanding for ransom of Shs4m before they can release the children.

“We have offered Shs1m to the kidnappers but they have refused it, insisting that they want Shs4m. We are still negotiating with them,” Mr Tukahirwa said.
He explained that they bought the land on which they are planting rice from Congolese nationals and denied any failed deals with the kidnappers.

This is one of the many kidnaps of several Ugandans by armed Congolese men. On April 2, four armed men suspected to be Congolese nationals ambushed a tourist van in Queen Elizabeth National Park and kidnapped an American tourist, Ms Kimbley Sue Endecott, and the driver, Mr Jean Paul Mirenge. The duo was released after ransom was paid.
On April 22, the militias kidnapped two Ugandans and are still demanding for ransom of $3,000.

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