The Uganda Police Force has expressed concern over a growing trend of fatal ransom kidnappings following the abduction and murder of a 52-year-old woman in Ntinda-Kigowa, a suburb of Kampala. Police say at least two ransom-related kidnappings have ended in the deaths of victims within the Kampala Metropolitan area over the past two months.
The latest victim, Babirye Lydia Sengendo, a resident of Ntinda, was reportedly abducted on June 4. Her body was later recovered in Kiteredde, Kakiri Town Council, Wakiso District. Kampala Metropolitan Police Deputy Spokesperson Luke Owoyesigyire said the body was found in a decomposing state, wrapped in a mattress cover and tied with ropes at the residence of Kagga Shafiq, the prime suspect in the case.
According to Owoyesigyire, investigations began after Babirye’s relatives reported her disappearance to Old Kampala Police Station. The case progressed when Kagga and an alleged accomplice, Ntege Abubakar, reportedly used the victim’s phone to contact family members and demand a ransom of Shs19 million.
“Through investigative leads, detectives linked Kagga Shafiq and Ntege Abubakar to the kidnapping. During interrogation, Ntege led detectives to his residence in Kakiri, where the victim’s body was recovered. Investigators also found a freshly dug grave within the compound, likely intended for the burial of the victim,” Owoyesigyire said. The incident follows another high-profile kidnapping and murder case involving Tonny Ssewakyiryanga, a 25-year-old footballer from Kikubampanga Cell in Kakiri Town Council, Wakiso District.
Ssewakyiryanga was reportedly kidnapped on the night of May 3, 2026, as he returned home. According to Eric Kalule, the Youth Councillor for Kakiri Town Council and a close friend of the deceased, the kidnappers demanded a ransom of Shs5 million from his family before killing him.
“The assailants searched the house for money but found none. They forced Ssewakyiryanga to call his father and demanded a five-million shilling ransom. “When the father failed to raise the money and threatened to report the matter to the police, the kidnappers disappeared with him and switched off his phone. His body was later found mutilated,” Kalule said.
Another kidnapping case was reported on May 29, 2026, in Njeru Municipality, where police launched a manhunt and rescued Mollete Komugisha, the wife of St Abel School Director Taremwa, after she was abducted from her home in Bujoweli Zone. A Flying Squad officer involved in several rescue operations said ransom demands are a common feature in most kidnapping cases.
“The problem arises when kidnappers demand ransom and families manage to pay only part of it. In many cases, the suspects warn relatives against involving the police. When families fail to raise the full amount, they often turn to the police, and the kidnappers retaliate by killing the victims,” the officer said.
Assistant Commissioner of Police Kituuma Rusoke has repeatedly advised families not to negotiate directly with kidnappers and instead report such incidents to law enforcement immediately. According to Rusoke, police have the capacity to track suspects and increase the chances of rescuing victims safely. Police statistics show that 206 kidnapping cases were recorded nationwide in 2025, down from 245 cases in the previous year, representing a 15 percent decline.
However, authorities note that kidnappings continue to be driven largely by financial motives, including ransom demands, efforts to settle debts, and attempts to gain access to victims’ bank accounts and mobile money funds-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
