Wakiso Chief Magistrate’s court remanded two suspects over the kidnap and murder of Lydia Babirye Ssengendo, 52, a resident Ntinda Kigowa a Kampala City suburb. Abubakari Ntege, 32, and Shafic Kagga, 26, both linked to the kidnap and murder were on Tuesday arraigned before Wakiso Chief Magistrate Naume Sikhoya and remanded to Luzira Prison.
The duo was also charged with robbery of the deceased’s mobile phones, ATM card and SIM cards. Prosecution led by Peninah Joy Nakaweesa alleges that Shafic Kagga, 26, a boda boda rider and resident of Nakuwadde Bulenga Wakiso, and Abubakari Ntege, 32, a mechanic and resident of Kiteedde, Kakiri Town Council, Wakiso District, committed the crimes between June 3 and 4, 2026, in Kireedde Town Council, Kakiri, Wakiso.
It is alleged that on June 3 and 4, 2026, at Kireedde Village, Kakiri Town Council, Wakiso District, the two suspects detained Lydia Babirye Ssengendo against her will with intent to procure a ransom of nineteen million shillings to release her. They are jointly charged with murder, robbery and kidnapping with intent to procure a ransom, which is contrary to Section 226(1)(c) of the Penal Code Act, Cap. 120.
Her body was discovered at the home of one of the prime suspects, Abubakari Ntege. The suspects were arrested after they contacted the deceased’s daughter, Leyla Nakisinde, demanding 19 million shillings and threatening to kill her mother. The family later received photographs showing Babirye gagged, prompting them to raise and send seven million shillings the kidnappers. Using the phone number used in the ransom demand, detectives tracked and arrested Shafic Kagga in Bulenga.
During interrogation, Kagga implicated Ntege as the mastermind and led officers to his arrest. Ntege later directed investigators to his home in Kireedde Village, Kakiri Town Council, where Babirye’s decomposing body was recovered. A freshly dug grave was also discovered in the compound.
The magistrate did not ask the suspects take a plea because the matter is only tried by a higher court. The magistrate told the suspects that they can only seek bail from the High Court. She only remanded them to Luzira Prison until July 8. Prosecution said investigations are ongoing as police hunt for accomplices.
Babirye’s murder has raised fresh concerns about rising ransom-related kidnappings in and around Kampala. 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.
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
