BUIKWE — Two men suspected of being part of a ransom-kidnapping gang have been taken through several locations in Njeru Municipality, Buikwe District, where police believe victims were abducted, moved and held during a series of incidents.
The suspects, Derick Nkurunziza and Richard Odong, both from Naminya, were escorted by detectives, Flying Squad officers and Njeru Police during a scene reconstruction exercise on Friday.
The exercise took investigators to different places in and around Bujowaali Village, including areas where police suspect some of the victims were kept before their relatives paid ransom.
The reconstruction forms part of investigations into a suspected kidnapping network that police say targeted families and demanded large sums of money in exchange for the release of their relatives.
Ssezibwa Regional Police spokesperson Hellen Butoto said preliminary investigations have connected the two suspects to a number of kidnapping incidents.
According to Ms Butoto, investigators have so far established that the suspects allegedly worked with other accomplices and may have participated in the abduction of four people — a child, a woman and two male juveniles.
The gang allegedly demanded between Shs40 million and Shs100 million, with investigators treating money as the main motive behind the crimes.
Some of the victims were reportedly released after their relatives paid the demanded amounts.
Police have also recovered money and firearms in connection with the investigations, although the exact role of each recovered item remains subject to further inquiry.
Six hours on foot
Among those whose accounts have emerged in the investigation is Molletti Komugisha, 50, the principal of Bosmo Schools in Njeru and a resident of Bujowaali.
Ms Komugisha said her ordeal began on May 28, when an armed man entered her home while she was having dinner with her family.
She said the man jumped over the compound fence, entered the home and ordered members of the family to remain inside.
He then allegedly singled her out and ordered her to leave with him, threatening to shoot her if she refused.
Ms Komugisha said they walked for more than six hours during the night.
Despite the long journey, she said she later realised that they had apparently remained within the wider Bujowaali area.
At around 2am, she was allegedly taken into a house and confined for three days.
While she was being held, her captors demanded Shs100 million from her family.
After the first payment was made, the kidnappers allegedly demanded an additional Shs17 million, saying the money was required for transport.
She was eventually released and abandoned near her home.
Ms Komugisha said she was neither physically assaulted nor sexually abused during the captivity, but the experience left her traumatised.
She said fear affected her ability to eat and forced her family to temporarily leave their home after her release.
The family is now considering returning following the arrest of the suspects.
Children abducted
The investigation also covers the September 7 abduction of Isaiah and Jeremiah Mugabane, two children taken from their home in Bujowali Zone.
According to investigators, armed and masked men attacked the home, injured domestic workers and confined them before taking the children away.
The kidnappers reportedly demanded Shs100 million for the children’s release.
The two children were recovered safely on September 17 in Malindi Village, Wakisi Sub-county.
Police subsequently arrested Kasaija Dan, whom investigators describe as an alleged overall commander of the operation.
He is accused of coordinating aspects of the operation and handling ransom money in Kampala. A firearm was also reportedly recovered during his arrest.
Residents regain confidence
The arrests have brought some relief to residents in the affected parts of Njeru, where the reported abductions had heightened fears among families.
Residents welcomed the reconstruction exercise, saying it could help investigators establish how the suspects allegedly moved victims between locations and identify other people involved.
Police say the investigation is continuing and that they are pursuing other suspected members of the network.
The suspects have not been convicted of any offence and remain entitled to the presumption of innocence until the allegations against them are proved in court.
written by @enock katamba
- Enock Katamba is a Ugandan Journalist and Founder of Uncovered UG, an independent digital news platform covering Uganda and international developments. He reports on politics, national affairs, entertainment, sports, business, education and other stories of public interest.
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