Police rescue five pupils from suspected kidnap, van driver arrested

KAMPALA, UGANDA: Police have rescued five pupils of Nymala Junior School Kiteezi, Wakiso district from a suspected kidnap after a strange van picked them up abruptly on Wednesday morning.

According to Kampala Metropolitan deputy Police spokesperson Luke Owoyesigyire, the children were rescued after police officers impounded the van with the children on Kyagwe Road after a WhatsApp audio alert went viral today morning.

“On the morning of February 15, 2023, Police registered a matter of abduction of school children. Upon receipt of this information, all officers in Kampala Metropolitan were alerted to intercept the said vehicle that was carrying the alleged abducted children,” Owoyesigyire said.

In a voice note message released by the school, the concerned administrators said that the children were picked up on Wednesday morning by a strange van after the maid gave them out without verifying.

The voice message further reported that; “Their attendants were not in the van and the children opened the van for themselves. The first two children led the van to other pick-up locations where they picked up the other three. We have already reported and tracking is taking place”.

However, Owoyesigyire says at approximately 10:00 am today morning, the officers at Central Police Station, led by officer in charge Kasim Matovu, together with traffic officers while at a checkpoint they had mounted on Kyagwe Road, impounded a taxi bearing registration number UBA 291C that had the five children in their school uniforms.

The taxi driver identified as Ali Kiwanuka was arrested and subsequently taken to Kiteezi Police Station, where the case had already been registered to aid with investigations.

“All of the victims, who were schoolchildren, were safely rescued and escorted to Kitezi Police Station for further management. The impounded taxi has also been forwarded to Kitezi Police Station as part of the ongoing investigation,” Owoyesigyire said.

Owoyesigyire assured the public that we are taking this matter seriously and are doing everything in their power to ensure the safety of all citizens, particularly children.

“We urge parents and guardians to be vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the authorities. We will keep the public informed of any developments in this case as they become available.”