Police in Budaka district have apprehended Hassan Mwiru, a 19-year-old resident of Morokochomo village, Kadama sub-county in Kibuku district, for kidnapping Wumalu Nganda, a 4-year-old, for a ransom of Shs.3 million.

Mwiru was arrested on March 14, 2024, after police tracked him down through phone calls he made to Nganda’s parents, demanding a ransom in exchange for the boy’s life.

According to Bukedi North Region Police Spokesperson Samuel Simeo, Nganda was kidnapped on March 8, 2024.

He said that when police were notified about the incident by Nganda’s father, Abdul Rafizi Mutunga, a manhunt for the kidnapper was mounted. Simeo further revealed that police deployed trackers who traced his phone to Kamonkoli town in Budaka district.

’’We were able to rescue Nganda from his kidnapper by tracking the phone calls he was making to Nganda’s parents, demanding for the Shs3 million to release their kid alive,’’ Simeo noted.

He further cautioned the youth to not involve themselves in such dubious acts so as to avoid prison.

The Bukedi North Region Spokesperson additionally urged parents to continue protecting their children safely because kidnapping cases are on a rise.