A 28-year-old woman who was allegedly kidnapped has been released after her father paid a ransom of Shs4 million, while another kidnap victim was rescued in separate incidents in the Wamala region. The victims have been identified as Loyce Namusuuta, 28, a resident of Kyabakadde Village, Makokoto Sub-county, Kassanda District, and John Kiyemba, 37, a resident of Kikunyu LC1, Kikunyu Parish, Kikandwa Sub-county, Mityana District.
According to Wamala Regional Police Spokesperson Lameck Kigozi, Namusuuta was kidnapped on September 17, 2026, after she boarded a taxi in Bukomero Town Council, Kiboga District. Kigozi said Namusuuta told police that she began feeling dizzy shortly after boarding the taxi to Kampala and later lost consciousness.
“After some time, she recovered but found herself in an eucalyptus plantation with unfamiliar rude men around her. They then took her to a home with a woman and two children, where she was locked in the house,” Kigozi said. Kigozi added that the kidnappers allegedly used Namusuuta’s phone to call her father, Stephen Katembeyi, informing him that they had abducted his daughter and demanding a ransom of Shs6 million. They reportedly threatened to kill her if the money was not paid.
Katembeyi reported the matter to Bukomero Police Station in Kiboga, prompting investigations. The Kiboga District security team, supported by the Wamala Region Flying Squad Unit and other sister security agencies, launched a search for the suspects and efforts to rescue Namusuuta.
However, on September 23, 2026, Katembeyi sent Shs4 million to the kidnappers, after which they released Namusuuta in Sekanyonyi Village, Mityana District. “She was in good health and has since reunited with her family in Kyabakadde Village, Makokoto Sub-county, Kassanda District,” Kigozi said.
Police in Kiboga District are continuing efforts to identify and arrest the suspects. In a related incident, police rescued Kiyemba after security operations put pressure on his alleged kidnappers. Kiyemba was kidnapped on September 18, 2026, while travelling home within Kikunyu Trading Centre.
He was riding a Bajaj Boxer motorcycle, registration number UDT 629V. Kigozi said Kiyemba was ambushed by suspected thugs along the Ssebobbo-Kikunyu road and forced to abandon his motorcycle, phone, and some of his clothes. The attackers allegedly took him to an unknown location, where he was held captive.
At about 7:00am the following morning, residents going about their usual activities discovered Kiyemba’s abandoned motorcycle, phone and clothes. They alerted the local council leaders of Kikunyu and Ssebobbo villages. The matter was subsequently reported to Busunju Police Station, which commenced investigations.
According to Kigozi, the kidnappers later began calling Kiyemba’s relatives and demanded a ransom of Shs5 million for his release, threatening to kill him if the money was not paid. The Mityana District Police Command, led by the District Police Commander, SP Tyson Rutambika, visited the scene and commenced investigations.
“One suspect was arrested and, out of pressure from security, the kidnappers were forced to release the victim,” Kigozi said. Kiyemba was driven to Kyegegwa and abandoned there on the evening of Sunday, September 20, 2026. He subsequently reported himself to Kakabala Police Station in Kyegegwa.
“We thank God that he is alive and has since reunited with his family. Efforts to arrest the suspects are being made,” Kigozi said. Kigozi urged members of the public to remain vigilant and promptly report suspected cases of kidnapping to police and other security authorities-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
