By Peter Luzinda
KAMPALA
Police in Nansana have recovered a 10-year-old child who was allegedly abducted in Senge, Wakiso District, and held as a Shs20 million ransom was demanded from the family.
Two men are in custody in connection with the incident, while police continue to investigate how the child was taken and whether more people were involved.
The suspects are Matovu Bernard, 20, and Ssemata Christopher, 30, a boda boda rider, both residents of Nsumbi in Kyebando, Wakiso District.
Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson, Racheal Kawala said the incident occurred at about 2pm on October 4, 2026.
The child was reportedly taken from the family’s workshop in Senge. Police later recovered the child in Nsumbi village, together with a silver Subaru Impreza, registration number UA 229AR.
Vehicle allegedly taken before abduction
According to preliminary police findings, Matovu had been contacted at about 9am on the same day to wash the Subaru at a residence in Nansana East 2A.
Police allege that after washing the vehicle, he drove away with it and switched off his mobile phones.
Investigators say he later travelled to Senge, where the child was allegedly taken from the family’s workshop.
The child was subsequently moved to Nsumbi in Kyebando, according to the police account.
A Shs20 million ransom was allegedly demanded from the family, with a bank account reportedly provided for the payment. Police have not said whether the money was ever deposited.
Two suspects in custody
Kawala said police followed leads that eventually resulted in the recovery of both the child and the vehicle.
The two suspects were reportedly rescued from a mob and handed over to police and are now detained at Nansana Police Station.
“They are currently in police custody, assisting with ongoing investigations into the circumstances surrounding the alleged kidnapping, ransom demand and theft of the motor vehicle,” Kawala said.
The Uganda Police Force also confirmed the arrests and recovery in a post on its official account on Tuesday evening, naming Matovu and Ssemata.
Neither suspect has been charged, meanwhile, the child’s identity has been withheld.
Police are investigating whether other people were involved in the alleged kidnapping and the subsequent ransom demand.
Investigation continues
Police are expected to establish the circumstances under which the Subaru was taken, how the child was removed from the workshop and how the alleged ransom demand was organised.
It is also not yet clear whether the suspects knew the child or the family before the incident.
