Staff
Police and other security agencies have arrested three people suspected of involvement in the kidnapping of two children in Buikwe District, weeks after the children were allegedly taken from their home in Njeru Municipality.
The suspects are identified as Odongo Richard, Derick Nkuruziza and Kasaija Dan, who security authorities allege played a leading role in the kidnapping operation.
Dan is alleged to have coordinated the group and handled ransom money after it was received in Kampala. During the operation that led to the arrests on September 17, 2026, security personnel also recovered a firearm suspected to have been used in criminal activities.
The incident happened on the evening of September 7 in Bujowali Zone, where two armed and masked men allegedly raided the home of Mr Mugabanya.
At the time, Mugabanya was reportedly away, leaving the children in the care of domestic workers who were watching television with them.
The situation reportedly turned violent after the domestic workers raised an alarm. The attackers allegedly injured them before locking them inside a bedroom and escaping with two children.
The kidnappers later reportedly contacted the family and demanded Shs100 million in ransom.
The subsequent joint security operation has now resulted in the arrest of the three suspects, with investigations continuing into the circumstances surrounding the children’s abduction, the alleged ransom operation and the firearm recovered by security personnel.
. @mkituuma “Police, working jointly with sister security agencies, have arrested three suspects in connection with the kidnapping of two children from Bujowali Zone, Njeru Municipality, Buikwe District today 17 sept 2026.
The first two suspects arrested are Odongo Richard and… pic.twitter.com/480CcMIOrH
— Uganda Police Force (@PoliceUg) September 17, 2026
