By Robert Segawa
The police have raised alarms over a troubling increase in child kidnappings across the country, implicating boda boda riders and even some parents in these crimes. Recent incidents have been reported in Masaka, Makindye, Kasese, and Bushenyi, prompting a call for public vigilance.
According to Kituuma Rusoke, the police spokesperson in Masaka, the alarming trend was highlighted by a recent case involving a porter named Farouk, who lured a 3-year-old boy, Favour Brison, away from his mother under the pretext of buying soda. After an extensive police manhunt, the child was returned safely, but the incident underscored the growing danger.
In Bushenyi, another disturbing case involved the kidnapping of a 5-year-old girl, Itungo Shasha, who was snatched while on her way to buy cooking oil. The kidnappers demanded a ransom of 8 million shillings.
In Kasese district, 7-year-old Masereka Ryan was taken from his home by unidentified boda boda riders, who left a note with a mobile number demanding a ransom of 20 million shillings. Police swiftly acted on the complaint, apprehending the suspects and recovering the child.
In a separate incident in Katwe, a maid and her boyfriend were arrested for conspiring to kidnap a 3-year-old child from a Congolese family. The maid, Kansime Mary, and her accomplice, Policarpe Bulambo, allegedly used the maid’s phone to demand a ransom of 20 million shillings, falsely claiming that the child was taken to South Sudan.
Kituuma Rusoke noted that many of these kidnappings were facilitated by boda boda riders, with some cases allegedly involving parents seeking financial gain from their partners. He emphasized the need for parents to take responsibility for their children’s safety, stating that negligence has contributed to the rising number of cases.
“We will charge boda boda riders for aiding kidnappers by transporting criminals and victims under the guise of innocence,” Rusoke warned, urging the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity.
