Police and sister security agencies have arrested three suspects in connection with the kidnapping of two children from Bujowali Zone, Njeru Municipality, Buikwe District.
The suspects were arrested on September 17, 2026, following a joint security operation that also led to the recovery of a firearm suspected to have been used in criminal activities.
Police identified the first two suspects as Odongo Richard and Derick Nkuruziza. The third suspect, Kasaija Dan, is alleged to have been the overall commander of the kidnapping group and to have received and withdrawn ransom money in Kampala.
The case dates back to September 7 at about 7pm, when two armed and masked men allegedly attacked the home of a man identified as Mr Mugabanya in Bujowali Zone.
Mugabanya was reportedly away from home at the time, while his children were watching television under the care of domestic workers.
According to preliminary police information, the attackers injured the domestic workers after they raised an alarm, before confining them in a bedroom and fleeing with two of the children.
The kidnappers later allegedly demanded Shs100 million in ransom.
Police registered a kidnapping case and launched investigations jointly with other security agencies to identify and track the suspects.
After days of investigation, the two children were recovered on September 17 from Malindi Village in Wakisi Sub-county, Buikwe District. Police said the children were found safe.
The three suspects are also being investigated over their alleged involvement in other kidnapping incidents, including the abduction of a female school director in Njeru Municipality in May 2026.
Investigators are continuing efforts to identify and arrest other people suspected to have been involved in the operation.
The suspects remain in custody pending further inquiries and will be processed in accordance with the law.
