A woman named Rita Robinah Nuwamanya was arrested by the police Flying Squad for kidnapping four-year-old Joel Asiimwe from Busabala, Makindye Ssabagabo Municipality, Wakiso district. Nuwamanya, known to the family, demanded a ransom of eight million shillings from the boy’s father, Julius Asiimwe.
Julius promptly reported the kidnapping at Kibibi Police Station, triggering a joint search effort by Kibibi Police and their supervisory division in Katwe. The Flying Squad later determined that Nuwamanya was on the move outside Kampala.
The kidnapper’s mobile phone signals were tracked past Masaka City, intermittently turning off and on. Kampala Flying Squad alerted Masaka authorities, but Nuwamanya’s precise location remained elusive until signals settled in Isingiro district.
Police utilized Nuwamanya’s acquaintances to pinpoint her hideout, where she was found with the unharmed child. Nuwamanya was apprehended and transported back to Kampala for kidnapping charges.
Julius Asiimwe expressed shock over the incident, recalling Nuwamanya’s demand for ransom through a known contact. He speculated that the kidnapping might have stemmed from a personal grievance, emphasizing that if Nuwamanya had issues with him, she should have approached him directly.
Luke Owoyesigyire, Deputy Kampala Metropolitan Police Spokesperson, confirmed Nuwamanya’s arrest and commended Julius for his swift action in alerting the authorities. He urged the public to report such incidents promptly and advised against yielding to kidnappers’ demands.
Police announced plans to interrogate both Nuwamanya and Julius Asiimwe. Initial investigations suggested that Nuwamanya’s actions were motivated by a desire for revenge related to a previous incident involving Asiimwe’s family.
