Police have raised concern over fatal ransom kidnappings after the abduction and murder of 52-year-old Lydia Babirye Sengendo in Ntinda-Kigowa, a Kampala suburb.
Babirye was reportedly abducted on June 4. Police later recovered her body at the residence of the prime suspect, Kagga Shafiq, in Kiteredde, Kakiri Town Council, Wakiso District.
Kampala Metropolitan Police deputy spokesperson Luke Owoyesigyire said the body had been wrapped in a mattress and tied with ropes.
Family received Shs19m ransom demand
Investigations started after Babirye’s relatives reported her disappearance at Old Kampala Police Station.
The case later took a dramatic turn when Kagga and his alleged accomplice, Abubakar Ntege, reportedly used the victim’s phone to contact her family.
Police said the suspects demanded a ransom of Shs19 million.
“Through investigative leads, detectives linked Kagga Shafiq and Ntege Abubakar to the kidnapping. During interrogation, Ntege led detectives to his residence in Kakiri, where the victim’s body was recovered. Investigators also found a freshly dug grave within the compound, likely intended for the burial of the victim,” Owoyesigyire said.
The incident has deepened concern over a series of ransom-related kidnappings reported in the Kampala metropolitan area in recent months.
Kakiri footballer also killed after ransom demand
In another case, Tonny Ssewakyiryanga, a 25-year-old footballer from Kikubampanga Cell in Kakiri Town Council, Wakiso District, was reportedly kidnapped and murdered.
His captors allegedly demanded money from his family.
Eric Kalule, the youth councillor for Kakiri Town Council and a close friend of the deceased, said Ssewakyiryanga was abducted on the night of May 3, 2026.
He said the footballer was attacked as he returned home. The kidnappers later demanded Shs5 million.
“The assailants searched the house for money but found none. They forced Ssewakyiryanga to call his father and demanded a five-million-shilling ransom.
“When the father failed to raise the money and threatened to report the matter to the police, the kidnappers disappeared with him and switched off his phone. His body was later found mutilated,” Kalule said.
Police rescue woman in Njeru
Another kidnapping was reported on May 29 in Njeru Municipality.
Police rescued Mollete Komugisha, the wife of St Abel School director Bosses Taremwa, after her abduction from her home in Bujoweli Zone.
A flying squad officer involved in several rescue operations said ransom demands remain common in many kidnapping cases.
Police say at least two ransom-related abductions have ended in the deaths of victims in the Kampala metropolitan area over the past two months.
“The problem arises when kidnappers demand ransom and families manage to pay only part of it. In many cases, the suspects warn relatives against involving the police. When families fail to raise the full amount, they often turn to the police, and the kidnappers retaliate by killing the victims,” the officer said.
Families urged to contact police early
Police spokesperson Kituuma Rusoke has repeatedly urged families not to negotiate directly with kidnappers.
He has advised relatives to report such incidents to law enforcement agencies immediately.
According to Rusoke, police can track suspects and improve the chances of rescuing victims safely.
Police statistics show that Uganda recorded 206 kidnapping cases in 2025. This was down from 245 cases in the previous year, representing a 15 percent decline.
Despite the reduction, authorities say many kidnappings remain financially motivated. Police link the crimes to ransom demands, debt disputes and attempts to access victims’ bank accounts and mobile money funds.