Police in Nakaseke district are currently investigating to ascertain how an unidentified man kidnapped an 8-year-old girl in Ngoma town, Nakaseke district, while on her way back home from school.
The missing girl has been identified as Patricia Ikolu, a daughter of Vicent Taban, both residents of Kasambya village in Ngoma town, Nakaseke district.
The police revealed that Ikolu was kidnapped on March 21, 2024, while on her way from Ngoma C/U Primary School with two of her friends.
According to a statement from two of Ikolu’s friends, they were walking back home in the evening when an unidentified man took Ikolu, but he first gave the two friends Ugx 2,000 each and ordered them to head to their respective homes and not look back.
Taban said that they have looked for Ikolu, but all in vain. He added that when the police tried to get in touch with his ex-wife, who is Ikolu’s mother, she refused to return calls, hence making it suspicious as though she were guilty of something.
Sam Twinamazima, the Savannah Police Spokesperson, said that Ikolu’s mother separated from her father, and the victim has been staying with her father and stepmother. However, the police have tried to contact Ikolu’s mother about any information regarding her daughter’s kidnapping, but she has since refused to answer calls.
‘’We as police suspect that the girl’s mom might be behind the girl’s disappearance because the victim has been living with her father ever since they separated, and we have called her numerous times, but she is not picking up her phone, hence showing she might be behind her daughter’s kidnapping,’’ Twinamazima said.
Residents said that they are worried and living in fear since child kidnaps are now rampant in their area, adding that in a period of one month, four children have been kidnapped in the same way Ikolu was kidnapped.
Twinamazima added that the police are continuing with the search to ascertain whether Ikolu’s kidnapper is part of the group that is currently kidnapping children in Nakaseke district and their motives.