Luweero, Uganda: Police in Kampala North have arrested a 34-year-old woman for allegedly staging her own kidnapping and demanding a ransom of Shs50 million from her family, in a case that triggered panic and an intensive security operation.
The suspect, Nanteza Aisha, was arrested following investigations into a reported abduction that was formally registered on December 15, 2025. Her mother, Nakanwagi Rose, a resident of Kasana in Luwero District, had reported her missing after she failed to arrive home while travelling from Wakiso.
According to preliminary police findings, on December 12, 2025, at about 4:00pm, Nanteza, who resides in Katooke, Nabweru in Wakiso District, informed her mother that she was travelling to Luwero later that evening. She, however, never reached her destination.
Alarm escalated the following day when the suspect’s sister received a WhatsApp video showing Nanteza appearing restrained in a bush, with her hands, legs and mouth tied. In the footage, a voice in the background demanded a ransom of Shs50 million, prompting the family to alert police.
Police launched intelligence-led investigations and an extensive search operation. The task team later traced and arrested Nanteza in Kigombe, Luwero District, where investigators established that the alleged kidnapping had been staged by the suspect herself.
“She is currently in custody and will be arraigned in court to answer the relevant charges,” said Lameck Kigozi, the Police Public Relations Officer for Wamala Region.
Police strongly condemned the act, describing it as a serious criminal offence that caused unnecessary fear and diverted security resources from genuine cases. Authorities cautioned the public against filing false criminal reports, warning that such actions are punishable under Ugandan law.
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