NJERU — Security agencies in Njeru Municipality, Buikwe District, have taken two suspected kidnappers through several locations where they allegedly abducted and held victims, as investigators reconstruct the operations of a suspected ransom-kidnapping network.
The scene reconstruction involved detectives, the Flying Squad and officers from Njeru Police Division. The suspects, identified as Derick Nkurunziza and Richard Odong, both residents of Naminya, were taken to locations in and around Bujowaali Village, where investigators believe some of the victims were transported and held.
The exercise is part of investigations into a series of kidnappings in the area in which victims were allegedly seized at gunpoint and their relatives asked to pay millions of shillings for their release.
According to preliminary police findings, Nkurunziza and Odong are suspected of working with other people who formed part of a wider network involved in the abductions.
Ssezibwa Regional Police spokesperson Hellen Butoto said investigators have so far linked the suspects to four kidnapping incidents involving a child, a woman and two male juveniles.
The alleged kidnappers reportedly demanded between Shs40 million and Shs100 million from relatives of their victims, depending on the case.
Police say the primary motive appears to have been financial, with victims allegedly released after their families made ransom payments.
Investigators have also reportedly recovered some of the money allegedly paid as ransom as well as firearms believed to have been used during the operations.
Principal recounts six-hour ordeal
One of the alleged victims is Molletti Komugisha, 50, the principal of Bosmo Schools in Njeru Municipality and a resident of Bujowaali Village.
Ms Komugisha said she was abducted from her home on May 28, 2026, while she and her family were having dinner.
According to her account, an armed man jumped over the compound fence and entered the home before ordering everyone inside to remain where they were.
She said the attacker then ordered her to accompany him and threatened to shoot her if she resisted.
The two allegedly walked for more than six hours, although she said they appeared to remain within the wider village.
By about 2am, she was taken to a house where she was confined for three days.
Her captors reportedly demanded Shs100 million from her family for her release.
After the money was sent, the kidnappers allegedly demanded another Shs17 million, which they claimed was needed to cover transportation.
Ms Komugisha was eventually released and left near her home.
She said she was not physically assaulted or sexually abused during the ordeal but described the experience as deeply traumatic.
The fear was so intense, she said, that she struggled to eat while in captivity.
Following the incident, her family temporarily relocated from the area because of concerns about their safety.
She said the family was now considering returning after the arrest of the suspects.
September kidnapping
The two suspects have also been linked to the September 7 kidnapping of two children, Isaiah and Jeremiah Mugabane, from Bujowali Zone in Njeru.
In that incident, armed and masked men allegedly attacked a home, injured domestic workers and confined them before taking away the two children.
The kidnappers reportedly demanded Shs100 million from the children’s relatives.
The children were later recovered safely on September 17 from Malindi Village in Wakisi Sub-county.
Police also arrested Kasaija Dan, whom investigators allege was the overall commander of the operation and was responsible for handling ransom money in Kampala.
A firearm was reportedly recovered during his arrest.
The arrests and subsequent reconstruction exercise have provided residents with a closer look at how the alleged kidnappers operated and the locations associated with the cases.
Residents in the affected communities have welcomed the arrests, saying the incidents had created fear among families, particularly those living around Bujowaali and Naminya.
Police, however, say investigations are still ongoing and that other suspected accomplices are being pursued.
The suspects are expected to face criminal charges once investigations are completed and the case file is sanctioned for prosecution.
The allegations against the suspects remain subject to determination by a court.
