Police in Masaka have dismantled a 12-member gang suspected of kidnapping children and extorting large sums of money from their parents.
The arrests follow the kidnapping of Wasswa Segirinya, a seven-year-old boy, whose abductors demanded shs.25 million from his parents, threatening never to return him if the ransom was not paid.
Among those arrested are: Lutaaya Nelson, Maria Gorret Nambajjo, Namugamba Prossy, Namukwaya Rosemary, Sseruga Matia, Kasumba Yuda, Sikyomu Tonny, Yawe Robert, Kiwendo Paulo, Wamala Emma, Hussein Mohammed and Maseruka Dennis.
These suspects were apprehended in different areas of Kyanamukaaka and Kalisizo following a police operation.
Authorities are also hunting for Tusubira Pius, who is suspected of having picked up the boy from his parents before vanishing.
Speaking about the incident, young Wasswa Segirinya revealed that he did not recognize his kidnappers, who tricked him into following them.
His mother, Nalongo Nassali Yudaya, stated that her son was abducted as he left home for school. She grew worried when his classmates informed her that he never arrived at school.
" We started to search but as we were searching, that is when I received a phone call from someone I didn't know asking me for money if I want to see my child back and he said that if I fail, I will never see him again even his dead body."
As the family was still searching for him, the kidnappers contacted them, demanding shs.25 million for his safe return.
Desperate, the mother sold some valuables and managed to send shs1 million , promising to pay the rest later.
"After sending them that shs1 million, he said that he now needs shs30 million. I told him that I don't have money and he started to tell me all my properties that I can sell to get that money which means they were knowing me."
I reported a case at Kyanamukaaka police post where police stopped me from giving them the money and they started a search that resulted into discovering my son.
However, police had tracked their movements and launched an operation that led to their arrest.
"I insisted after getting strength from police that is when they told me to give them other shs2 million to give me my son and I told him to come and pick it from a certain petrol station in Kalisizo and he came with my son and police arrested him."
The boy’s father, Elisa Byekwaso expressed shock upon learning that one of the suspects was a close family friend who had previously offered to help pay school fees for the child.
The Chairperson of Kyesiiga Sub-County, Gordon Mayanja, warned that child kidnappings are on the rise in the area.
He urged parents to be extra cautious, especially when sending children to school alone.
Greater Masaka Police Spokesperson Twaha Kasirye confirmed the arrests and successful rescue of the child.
He advised parents to increase vigilance and report any suspicious individuals to law enforcement.