Police have rescued a five-year-old girl who was allegedly abducted from her grandmother’s home in Kikandwa Sub-county, Mityana District, after her captors demanded Shs4 million in ransom for her release.
The incident was reported at Busunju Police Station on September 1, 2026, at around 3:00am after unknown people reportedly broke into the home of 50-year-old Nanungi Joyce in Namudali LC1, Kikandwa Sub-county.
According to police, Nanungi was sleeping with her granddaughter, Nabakooza Joan, when the attackers entered the house and took the young girl away. Joan is a Top Class pupil at God Cares Nursery School.
The suspects also reportedly stole Nanungi’s mobile phone and later used it to contact the family and demand Shs4 million in exchange for the child’s freedom.
Security teams were quickly deployed to rescue the girl and track down those responsible for the abduction. As the situation developed, a family member reportedly sent Shs1 million to the captors, who continued demanding the remaining Shs3 million.
The rescue operation involved the Mityana District Police Command under DPC SP Tyson Rutambika, the Wamala Region Flying Squad, internal security teams and other security personnel who closely monitored the developments.
According to SSP L Kigozi, the Wamala Region Police spokesperson, the pressure from the security teams eventually forced the suspected captor to abandon the child.
At around 9:00pm, the suspect reportedly carried Joan on a motorcycle and dumped her in Mika, Wakiso District. Good Samaritans found the girl and handed her over to Busunju Police Station.
Police said the child was in good health when she was recovered. She was examined using Police Form 3A before being reunited with her grandmother.
Efforts to trace and arrest the suspects involved in the abduction are still ongoing, according to police.
The incident has also prompted security authorities to warn parents and guardians to remain extra vigilant, especially during the holiday period when children may spend more time at home or moving around the community.
Police have urged parents and guardians to closely monitor the movements of their children and to immediately report any suspicious activity or cases involving missing children to the nearest police station.
