Detectives investigating the kidnapping and murder of 52-year-old Lydia Babirye Ssengendo of Ntinda-Kigowa say they are not convinced that the crime was motivated solely by a UGX 19 million ransom demand. The Flying Squad over the weekend recovered Babirye’s body after days of investigations into her disappearance. She had been missing since May 4, 2026, when she was last seen in Busunju while travelling back to Kampala.
Her body was discovered at the home of one of the prime suspects, Abubakar Ntege, in Kakiri Town Council, Wakiso District. Police say Ntege was arrested in Natete after investigators made a breakthrough when the kidnappers contacted one of the deceased’s daughters, Leyla Nakisinde, demanding UGX 19 million and threatening to kill her mother.
The family later received photographs showing Babirye with her mouth gagged, prompting them to raise and send UGX 7 million to the kidnappers. Using the phone number used in the ransom demands, detectives tracked and arrested Shafic Kagga in Bulenga. During interrogation, Kagga allegedly implicated Ntege as the mastermind and led officers to his arrest.
Police say Ntege later directed investigators to his home in Kiteredde Village, Kakiri Town Council, where Babirye’s decomposing body was recovered. A freshly dug grave was also discovered in the compound. Although the two suspects remain in custody, Kampala Metropolitan Deputy Police Spokesperson Luke Owoyesigyire said investigations are continuing, with detectives pursuing other suspects believed to have participated in the crime.
Owoyesigyire noted that investigators are exploring other possible motives and do not believe the kidnapping and murder were carried out solely for the ransom amount demanded.
The case has heightened concerns over a growing number of ransom-related kidnappings reported in and around Kampala in recent months. In a similar incident, footballer Tonny Ssewakyiryanga, 25, a resident of Kikubampanga Cell in Kakiri, Wakiso District, was kidnapped and later murdered after his family received ransom demands. On May 29, another kidnapping was reported in Njeru Municipality involving Mollete Komugisha, the wife of the director of St Abel School, Bosses Taremwa.
Komugisha was abducted from her home in Bujoweli Zone, and her captors demanded UGX 50 million for her release. After the family paid the ransom, she was reportedly dropped near her home by boda-boda riders. Responding to concerns about the rising number of ransom kidnappings, Police Spokesperson Kituuma Rusoke acknowledged the trend but said security agencies continue to track and arrest perpetrators. He said while the incidents are unfortunate, it remains difficult to explain why such crimes continue to occur, adding that police are strengthening community engagement efforts, particularly on child kidnappings, through liaison officers and public awareness campaigns.
According to police statistics, 206 kidnapping cases were recorded across the country in 2025, down from 245 cases in 2024, representing a 15 percent decline. Despite the reduction, authorities say kidnappings remain largely driven by financial motives, including ransom demands, debt-related disputes, attempts to gain access to victims’ bank accounts and mobile money, revenge attacks, witness silencing, and ritual-related activities-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
