MUKONO, Uganda – Police in Mukono have arrested a Senior Two student for the alleged kidnapping of his two young cousins, aged 2 and 4, in a scheme to extort money from their own parents.
The incident unfolded on September 26, when the suspect allegedly took the children from their home. He then transported them to a rented room where he held them captive. From this location, he contacted the children’s family, issuing a demand for a ransom in exchange for their safe return.
According to authorities, the situation was swiftly resolved after police tracked the ransom call to the student’s location. Officers raided the rented room, successfully rescuing the two children, who were found unharmed. The suspect was immediately taken into custody.
In a startling confession, the student claimed his motives were purely financial, devoid of any intention to harm the children. He stated that the opportunity presented itself and he acted on it.
“I had no bad intentions but only wanted to have some money, and when the children came to me, I decided to have them,” the student said. “But I was planning to take them back since they had turned expensive to feed.”
Despite this explanation, police investigators are exploring all possible angles, including whether deeper family disputes or other underlying motives played a role in the crime.
The suspect remains in detention as the investigation continues. He is expected to be charged with kidnapping for ransom.
