A wave of anxiety that had gripped families across Kampala began to ease after police arrested a man they describe as a key suspect behind a string of chilling child abductions that unfolded over just a few days.
The suspect, identified as Isaac Odongo, was taken into custody following an intelligence-led operation by the Flying Squad, capping an intense manhunt linked to the disappearances of three young boys in different parts of the city.
Authorities say the arrests bring a breakthrough in cases that had sparked widespread alarm in communities stretching from Kasubi to Nankulabye and beyond.
According to police, the abductions occurred between late April and early May, with the children taken from their neighborhoods in swift, calculated moves.
Investigators allege that the suspect targeted the boys separately, later demanding ransom payments from their families in what officials describe as a disturbing pattern of exploitation.
The operation that led to his arrest relied on advanced tracking techniques, allowing officers to zero in on his movements before apprehending him in Nankulabye.
During questioning, police say the suspect admitted to carrying out the kidnappings, detailing how he transported the children across different regions in an apparent attempt to evade detection.
In one case, a child was reportedly abandoned far from home after ransom demands went unmet.
In another, a payment, though relatively small, was made before the victim was released late at night on the outskirts of the city.
The third child was traced to northern Uganda, with authorities now coordinating efforts to ensure a safe reunion with family.
Two of the boys have already been recovered, found in separate locations after harrowing ordeals that have left families shaken but relieved.
The Police spokesperson, Rusoke Kituuma confirmed that investigations are continuing, with the possibility of uncovering further details about the suspect’s activities and whether others may have been involved.
The arrests mark a critical moment for law enforcement, as concern over child safety had been mounting rapidly in recent days.
Police have urged the public to remain vigilant as inquiries proceed, emphasizing that protecting children remains a top priority amid ongoing efforts to dismantle criminal networks behind such crimes.
