Police in Kabalagala have arrested a woman for abducting a 4-year-old boy. The incident reportedly stemmed from an alleged unpaid debt of Shs200,000 owed by the boy’s mother, Jacqueline Basilika.
According to the mother, a resident of Kanyogoga village in Bukasa parish, Makindye Division, the accused, Sharon Kihembo, approached her on Tuesday evening around 9 pm. Kihembo requested assistance from Basilika’s son to carry some items she had left at a nearby boda-boda stage. Given their acquaintanceship, Basilika agreed without suspecting any ulterior motives.
To her dismay, she later received distressing news from her friend, Grace Alenyo, revealing that Kihembo had contacted her, demanding the clearance of the debt before releasing the abducted child.
The mother admitted owing Kihembo the aforementioned amount, which was provided during her pregnancy.
On Thursday, police successfully located and recovered the boy after apprehending Kihembo at Nakasero Market in Kampala city. Acting on information provided by Kihembo, the police then proceeded to Makindye-Salama, where the child had been hidden while awaiting payment from the mother.
Luke Owoyesigyire, the deputy spokesperson for Kampala Metropolitan Police, credited the swift arrest to tips provided by vigilant residents. The police have since reunited the young boy with his relieved mother, while Kihembo remains in custody at Kabalagala police station, awaiting charges of abduction to be presented in court.