Police are investigating the kidnap and subsequent murder of Babirye Lydia, a 52-year-old resident of Kigowa, Ntinda.
According to police reports, the incident began on 4th June 2026 when Lydia was reported missing at Old Kampala Police Station. Concern grew quickly after her family started receiving disturbing phone calls from unknown individuals. The callers were using Lydia’s own phone and demanded a ransom of 19 million shillings in exchange for her safe release.
This immediately triggered a joint security operation aimed at rescuing the victim and identifying those behind the crime. Investigators worked quickly, tracing leads that pointed to two suspects believed to be heavily involved in the kidnapping. These suspects were identified as Kagga Shafiq and Ntege Abubakar.
As the investigation intensified, Ntege Abubakar was arrested in Nateete. During questioning, he reportedly guided detectives to his residence in Kiteredde Village, located in Kakiri Town Council, Wakiso District. It was here that police made a disturbing discovery.
Inside the suspect’s house, officers found the lifeless body of Lydia Babirye in a highly decomposed state. The body had been wrapped in a mattress cover and tightly bound with ropes, suggesting an attempt to conceal it. Even more alarming, investigators also found a freshly dug grave within the compound, indicating that the suspects had planned to bury the body secretly.
The scene was carefully examined and documented by forensic teams. After processing, the body was taken to the KCCA City Mortuary for a postmortem examination to help determine the exact cause of death and gather further evidence.
Police confirmed that both Kagga Shafiq and Ntege Abubakar are currently in custody as investigations continue. Authorities have pledged to pursue all leads connected to the case to ensure that everyone involved is brought to justice.
ASP Luke Owoyesigyire, Deputy Public Relations Officer for the Kampala Metropolitan Police, stated that further updates will be shared as inquiries progress. The case has left the community in shock, raising concerns about rising incidents of violent crime and kidnapping in the area.
