The Kampala Metropolitan Police has warned against increased kidnappings involving minors in the area.

While addressing journalists at the police headquarters in Naguru on Monday, July 22, 2024, Luke Owoyesigyire, the Kampala Metropolitan deputy police spokesperson, said that the kidnappings often occur for ransom or ritualistic purposes.

“In a recent event on Thursday, a two-year-old child by the name of Drona Ayanza was abducted from her residence in Ntunda Village, Mukono District. The perpetrator, identified as Aloysius Kakande, a 22-year-old boda boda rider and resident of Ntunda village, demanded a ransom of Ugx 2 million from the child’s mother, Eve Namuyomba, who is employed in Dubai,” Owoyesigyire said.

He, however, noted that law enforcement intervened and advised the family against complying with the ransom demand.

Following the intervention, the Police Flying Squad unit located Kakande at the Mpata Treading Center, resulting in his arrest and successfully recovering the child unharmed. Kakande is presently in custody at the Mukono Police Station.

Owoyesigyire appealed to parents to exercise vigilance as incidents of kidnappings related to ransom and rituals are increasing within the Kampala metropolitan area.