The Territorial Police in Luwero District are investigating circumstances surrounding the abduction and subsequent recovery of a five-year-old girl, who went missing on the evening of 28 October 2026 in Mabale Village, Luwero Town Council, Luwero District.
Preliminary investigations indicate that on 28 October 2026, the child was allegedly abducted while on an errand to purchase a pancake. The matter was reported to Police on the same day, prompting immediate investigations and a search operation to establish her whereabouts.
On 29 October 2026, the child’s parents returned to Police accompanied by a man identified as Ssekanjako Muhammad, who claimed to have seen the missing child at the residence of a traditional healer. Acting on this information, Police conducted a search at the said premises; however, the child was not found.
Consequently, the traditional healer, a woman who was found at the premises, and Ssekanjako Muhammad were arrested and detained to assist with investigations.
During the course of the inquiry, Ssekanjako’s explanation regarding how he had established that the child was at the shrine raised suspicion and appeared inconsistent. Police subsequently subjected him to further interrogation on 30 October 2026, during which he confessed to having abducted the child on 28 October 2026.
He reportedly disclosed that he had taken the child to Nkologe Village, where he handed her over to his brother, Musisi Frank. The latter allegedly entrusted the child to his mother and wife. Investigations further established that the earlier claim linking the child to the traditional healer’s shrine was deliberately intended to mislead investigators and divert attention from the actual circumstances of the abduction.
Acting on the information obtained, Police proceeded to Nkologe Village, Nakikota Parish, Luwero Sub-county, where the child was successfully recovered from the residence of Musisi Frank, the principal suspect’s brother. Although Musisi Frank fled upon the arrival of Police, his wife, who was found with the child, and his mother were arrested to assist with ongoing investigations.
Preliminary findings suggest that the alleged motive behind the abduction was that the principal suspect, who reportedly had no biological children of his own, intended to take the victim and raise her as his own.
The recovered child was medically examined and found to be in good health. She has since been safely reunited with her biological parents.
Three suspects are currently in Police custody as investigations continue.
Further inquiries are ongoing, and appropriate legal action will be taken in accordance with the law.
S. TWIINEAMAZIMA
ASP PRO, SAVANNAH REGION
