In Uganda Stepson Kidnapped by his stepfather

Police are holding a stepfather, Jamil Ssebuliba as a prime suspect in the kidnap for ransom of his 3-year-old stepson last month from his home in Nateete in Kampala.  Ssebuliba was arrested alongside Irene Nagawa and a one Mwanje from Luweero where they have been hiding since disappearing with the child on October 29. The mother of the infant, Sharifa Nambasa reported to Nateete police station on October 31 that her son from a previous relationship, Abdul Fatouh had allegedly been kidnapped about two days earlier. According to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations Department (CID) spokesperson, Charles Twine, Nambasa told police that a few hours after her son went missing, she found a notice on her doorstep with a mobile phone number urging her call if she wanted to know the about his whereabouts.

After calling the phone number, police says the suspected kidnappers demanded a ransom of Shs 10 million before they could set the boy free. 

When police started tracking the kidnappers on their mobile phones they were found to be hiding Luwero. Upon interrogation, police said it was discovered that the prime suspect, Ssebuliba, who is also the husband to the mother of the missing kid, is the one who had connived with two others to kidnap the kid for purposes of ransom. 

Ssebuliba allegedly told police that he kidnapped the child because the father of the boy is a rich man, who loves him so much and would do anything to have his son alive.  

Police says they are going to prefer charges of kidnap and aggravated child trafficking in persons against the suspects. According to police’s 2018 annual crime report, a total of 202 persons were registered as victims of kidnap, 16 of these were killed, 84 rescued while 99 were victims and suspects of self-kidnap. In 2018, a total of 184 cases of kidnap were reported throughout the country according to police.