Security agencies puzzled by fresh wave of kidnaps

Kampala- Ms Maria Nabayunga, a laboratory technician at Nsambya Hospital in Kampala who went missing on Sunday, was yesterday afternoon dumped by unknown people at her sister’s house in Kansanga, a Kampala suburb.

Ms Nabayunga left her home in Buziga, Makindye Division, to meet her friends but never returned and her phones were switched off.
“We don’t know what happened afterwards. Her phones are off and we haven’t received any call from anyone to tell us where she is,” Ms Jane Nakanwagi, her sister, told Daily Monitor earlier yesterday.

She reported a case of missing person at Kabalagala Police Station. However, Ms Nakanwagi last evening called Daily Monitor to report that Ms Nabayunga had been dumped unconscious at her house in Kansanga. She said Ms Nabayunga was dumped by unknown people who residents did not see.

Ms Nakanwagi said Ms Nabayunga told her that she had attended prayers at Watoto Church on Bombo Road on Easter Sunday. Thereafter, Ms Nabayunga went to Nakasero to buy some food stuffs. Ms Nakanwagi said while at Nakasero market, a man asked Ms Nabayunga for her mobile phone and that was the last thing she could remember.

Ms Nabayunga’s phone was still switched off by last evening. The family and police had taken her to her residence to check for any possible clue on her kidnap.

Her case follows similar incidents in other parts of the city and the country. One is of Dr Catherine Agaba, a medical doctor at International Hospital Kampala (IHK), whose body was later found in a septic tank on Easter Monday. The other is Ms Atim Jamila Asha, a records officer at Arua Regional Referral Hospital, who went missing last week and has not been accounted for.
Dr Agaba was murdered on April 12 and a watchman confessed to the crime. Obangakene Ronald, the 24-year-old watchman, was yesterday charged with the murder in court.

Mr Fred Enanga, the police spokesperson, said they are now focusing on the facts and physical evidence to establish whether the suspect worked alone or had accomplices.

Police appeal
“We appeal to all landlords and property owners to ensure thorough vetting and background checks are conducted before hiring security guards. In this instance, the suspect was handpicked as a local guard without undergoing any rigorous background checks and training on guard duties and related responsibilities,” Mr Enanga said.

In Kamwokya, a Kampala suburb, the Criminal Investigations Office at Kira Road Police Division is also investigating the disappearance of Sarah Nakiyimba, aged one year.

Nakiyimba, a daughter of Mr Ali Kavuma, a resident of Mulimira Zone in Kamwokya, reportedly went missing from their home on April 15.
Mr Kavuma told Daily Monitor that an unknown person went to his home and carried away his daughter.
“I even don’t know who that person is. I have never had any problem with anyone and I can’t tell why my daughter was abducted,” he said. Police have appealed to the public to volunteer information that will lead to the recovery of the missing child.
“We appeal to anyone with information on the whereabouts of Nakiyimba Sarah to report or avail it to the nearest police station, or to contact us promptly on telephone numbers; 0714667789 [Kira Road], 0772326095 [investigating officer], 0701655026 [Nakiyimba Sarah’s father],” police said.

In West Nile, police are investigating a similar case of Jamila Asha Atim who was abducted on Wednesday last week. She was reportedly forced into a waiting car by seven armed men and whisked away.

Ms Josephine Angucia, the West Nile region police spokesperson, said no suspect had been arrested by yesterday.
“We are still investigating the matter. Atim Jamila has not been found yet,” she said.

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