UPDF Soldier, Three Others Arrested over Kidnapping a 16 Year Old Student

Police has arrested a Uganda People's Defense Force "UPDF" officer and three others over allegations of kidnapping a 16 Year old student and demanding a ransom of money from her parents. 

The arrested UPDF officer has been identified as pte Aguwa Justin Andrew 29 years of age and attached to Ruhengeri. The other three kidnappers have been identified as Okanya Emma, 28 years old a peasant of senior quarter cel, Pallisa Town Council, Okiria Constant an 18 year old student of Pallisa SS and Imoit Anna Florence a 26 year old a business woman of Kisenyi cell in Pallisa Town Council.

The victim, Aguti Harried Vick, a 16-year-old student at Pallisa Secondary School, was last seen leaving school on August 8, 2023. She was intercepted by an 18-year-old male student named Okiria Constant, who allegedly took her to her sister’s residence and held her against her will.

The situation took a grave turn on August 9, 2023, when the victim was forced to speak to her parents and demand a ransom for her release. During this distressing call, which occurred around 9:03 am, she pleaded for her safety and urged her mother to send money.

"The victim was tracked down and recovered by our task team. Four suspects who include; Pte Aguwa Justine Andrew, a 29 year old. Soldier attached to Ruhengeri, Okanya Emma, a 28 year old, peasant of Senior quarter cell, Pallisa Town Council, Okiria Constant, an 18 year old, student of Pallisa SS, and Imoit Anna Florence, a 26 year old, businesswoman of Kisenyi cell, in Pallisa town council, were arrested, investigated and pending court. Exhibits of a toy pistol, bayonet, National ID card and other exhibits were recovered," SCP Fred Enanga the Police Spokesperson revealed.

"We continue to warn teenagers, guardians and parents, about kidnaps for ransom targeting teenagers. The kidnappers are usually known perpetrators, who surveil particular families that are better off, and gather information about them. As a result, they kidnap their loved ones and coerce the family members into paying a ransom quickly, to enable the release of the victim," Enanga emphasized.

The DIGP has applauded the task team for their dedicated efforts that helped rescue the victim and for the arrest the suspects involved. "This serves as a warning to all perpetrators to child kidnaps, that they will be pursued, arrested and charged to court," he said.