BUIKWE — Police have taken two suspected members of a ransom-kidnapping gang through several locations in Njeru Municipality, Buikwe District, as part of an investigation into a series of alleged abductions.
Derick Nkurunziza and Richard Odong, both residents of Naminya, were escorted by detectives, Flying Squad officers and Njeru Police during a scene reconstruction exercise on Friday.
The exercise took investigators to different locations in and around Bujowaali Village where police suspect victims were abducted, moved and held before their relatives paid ransom.
Ssezibwa Regional Police spokesperson Hellen Butoto said preliminary investigations had linked the two suspects to several kidnapping incidents.
According to Butoto, investigators believe the suspects worked with other alleged accomplices and may have been involved in the abduction of four people — a child, a woman and two male juveniles.
The suspected gang allegedly demanded between Shs40 million and Shs100 million for the release of victims, with police treating ransom payments as the main motive.
Some victims were reportedly released after their relatives paid the demanded money.
Police have also recovered money and firearms as part of the investigation, although inquiries are continuing to establish the circumstances in which the items were allegedly used.
Principal recounts six-hour ordeal
One of the cases under investigation involves Molletti Komugisha, 50, the principal of Bosmo Schools in Njeru and a resident of Bujowaali.
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 house and ordered the family members to remain inside before allegedly ordering her to leave with him.
She said he threatened to shoot her if she resisted.
Komugisha told investigators that they walked for more than six hours during the night before she was taken to a house where she was allegedly held for three days.
Despite the long journey, she later realised that she had apparently remained within the wider Bujowaali area.
Her captors allegedly demanded Shs100 million from her family. After the first payment, they reportedly demanded another Shs17 million, claiming it was needed for transport.
Komugisha was eventually released and abandoned near her home.
She said she was not physically or sexually assaulted but was left traumatised by the ordeal. The fear also affected her ability to eat, while her family temporarily left their home after her release.
The family is now considering returning home following the arrests.
Children among alleged victims
Police are also investigating the September 7 abduction of Isaiah and Jeremiah Mugabane, two children taken from their home in Bujowali Zone.
Investigators say armed and masked men attacked the home, injured domestic workers and confined them before taking the children away.
The kidnappers allegedly demanded Shs100 million for their release.
The 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 parts of the operation and handling ransom money in Kampala. Police also reportedly recovered a firearm during his arrest.
The arrests and ongoing investigations have eased some of the fears among residents in parts of Njeru where the reported abductions had heightened concern among families.
Residents welcomed the reconstruction exercise, saying it could help police establish how victims were allegedly moved between locations and identify other people who may have been involved.
Police said investigations are continuing and that efforts are underway to trace other suspected members of the network.
Nkurunziza and Odong have not been convicted of any offence and remain presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
