Kanungu District Leaders on the Spot Over Rampant Kidnaps, Corruption

  • by Emmanuel Nuwamanya
  • August 20, 2019

Two men Twinamasiko Ambrose 22 and another one only identified as Eldad aged 21 were reportedly kidnapped last night at about 11 pm. The two were kidnapped at Munyaga in Butogota town council Kanungu district.

The two youthful men are said to have disappeared between Butogota and their home in Kyabuyogwa as they were on their way home when unknown assailants waylaid and kidnapped them since they never reached their homes.

Parents of the two victims have since reported the cases to police but no clue about their whereabouts has been established.

This is the second case of kidnap in less than two weeks and the third in two months in the same sub-county of Kanyatorogo.

According to Kigezi police spokesman Elly Matte, the kidnapped were traveling on a boda boda bajaj boxer number UEX 355 L that has been recovered by police, and the third person, Niwagaba Jacob,12, from Nyabitanda cell, Eastern ward, Butogota town council managed to escape from the assailants who were putting on civilian attire and masks, speaking Swahili and Rukiga languages.

Matte says after crossing into the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the kidnappers shot three bullets in air.

Meanwhile, locals blame Kanungu district leaders for doing nothing about the rampant kidnap cases which they believe are politically motivated.

Our sources say that top Kanungu leaders including Josephine Kasya the LCV chairperson and Kaberuka Ruuji James the MP Kinkizi West have an understanding with the kidnappers since they haven’t condemned the act or instituted investigations.

The LCV chairperson is particularly singled out for standing surety for the suspects and harassing security personnel who are fighting the rampant kidnap cases.

Meanwhile, locals wonder why MP Kaberuka was active in criticizing the government and President Museveni, especially during the age limit debate when he moved to every sub-county yet he has never visited victims of kidnaps let alone speaking out against the act.

Citing the recent kidnap case involving an American national, the locals now call upon ISO and CMI to swing into action to investigate the leaders and save the district from the ugly kidnaps.

Locals also want the top security agencies to probe the role of individuals involved in tea project who they believe are involved as they bought most of the land belonging to the kidnap victims.

According to knowledgeable sources the kidnap victims’ families are forced to sell their land to tea moguls to raise ransom so as to regain their freedom.

In the recent past, Kanungu people who live in Kampala have called upon on the IGG and the State House Ant corruption unit to investigate syndicated corruption and impunity practiced in Kanungu District.