By Robert Segawa
Police in Mubende District have arrested a man accused of kidnapping and killing a four-year-old boy after allegedly accusing the child’s parents of paying only UGX 1 million instead of the UGX 6 million ransom he had demanded.
According to police, the incident was reported on March 9, 2026, at Mubende Police Station by Mr. Baingana Eric, a resident of Nalutete LC1, Kiyonga Parish in Kigando Sub-county, Mubende District. He reported the disappearance of his son, Kazungu Daniel, aged four.
Mr. Baingana said that on the morning of the incident, he woke up at around 5:00 a.m. to prepare his children for school but discovered that Daniel was missing from his bed. He also noticed that the back door of the house was open, even though the rest of the family members were still asleep.
Wamala Region Police spokesperson Lameck Kigozi said the suspect allegedly broke into the house at an unknown time during the night and took away the child.
Kigozi added that the suspect later contacted the boy’s father by phone, demanding a ransom of UGX 6 million in exchange for the child’s release.
Mr. Baingana reportedly managed to raise UGX 1 million and handed the matter to the police, who used the money in an attempt to track the suspect. However, police say the suspect had already killed the child.
A joint tracking team comprising the Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence (CMI) and the Police Flying Squad launched an operation that led to the suspect’s arrest in Kibaati, Kansanga Cell, Makindye Division in Kampala.
The suspect was identified as Muwanguzi Emmanuel, a resident of Kisonde LC1, Rwigo Parish in Kibaale District. Police say that during interrogation, he confessed to kidnapping and murdering the child before dumping the body in a pit latrine belonging to Rwabutariye Frank in Nalutete.
On Friday morning, the body of the deceased was retrieved from the pit latrine by the Fire Brigade team in Mubende and transported to Mubende Hospital Mortuary for postmortem examination.
Police say the suspect will be charged with murder and will be produced in court once investigations are completed.
