In a tragic case, authorities have arrested six individuals as part of an ongoing investigation into the abduction and subsequent murder of a five-year-old child. The heartbreaking incident unfolded in Namaliri trading centre, Kasawo subcounty, Mukono district. The victim, Hope Biyinzika, mysteriously disappeared shortly after returning home from Skylac Junior School. Initial findings suggest that she changed out of her school uniform upon arriving home, and it’s suspected that she was abducted during this time when no one else was present.

The child’s parents, upon realizing her disappearance, initiated search efforts, including making announcements through local public address systems and reporting the case to the police. Tragically, the situation took a sinister turn when, one day after the disappearance, an unidentified male caller demanded a Ransom of 5 million Shillings for the child’s release.

The Family engaged in negotiations with the kidnapper, eventually agreeing on a reduced ransom of 2.6 million Shillings. The family organized fundraising activities within their community and managed to raise 1 million Shillings, which was promptly sent to the kidnappers. However, the kidnappers gave the family three days to gather the remaining 1.6 million Shillings, threatening to harm the child if their demands were not met.

As the deadline passed, the kidnappers ceased communication with the child’s family. The distressing situation took a horrifying turn when, on Friday, the child’s decomposing body was discovered in a neighbor’s Pit Latrine, approximately 15 meters from her home.

Fred Enanga, the police spokesperson, confirmed the tragic incident, highlighting that all family members were in the garden at the time of the child’s return home. Enanga recounted the sequence of events, underscoring the kidnapping aspect that emerged after the child’s disappearance, including the ransom demands and the subsequent discovery of her body in the pit latrine.

Six suspects are currently in police custody, identified as Fred Kayemba, Walugembe Fred, Allan Ssenkuba, Ben Kiyingi, Emmanuel Katongole, and Fatuma Nansubuga. However, the mastermind behind the kidnapping and murder remains at large, prompting a relentless pursuit by law enforcement. This tragic case has left a community in shock and mourning for the innocent five-year-old who endured unimaginable suffering.