Police in Katakwi have arrested a couple for holding prisoner their son-in-law for more than three months.
The couple Abdul Ilemut and his wife, Rukia Abdul alias Kamala, both residents of Angopet Cell, Katakwi Town Council confined their son-in-law from July 2022 at their residence.
Joel Okabe, who is married to the couple’s daughter Majuma Akello, was reported missing by his parents who took the matter to the police.
Zadok Akutu, the Katakwi Town Council LC III Chairperson, says that Okabe's family contacted his in-laws to ascertain his whereabouts but they reportedly said they didn't know anything about the matter.
“When the in-laws denied knowledge of Okabe’s whereabouts, the uncle (Peter Emukoki) reported the matter to the Police. With the intelligence from the neighbors,”, he said.
However, the mother-in-law was later seen escorting Okabe to the pit latrine on Monday prompting the neighbors to alert the Police.
The couple later confessed to holding Okabe, but for his own safety. They allege that Okabe had incurred a heavy loan debt for a failed business and the bank had come to collect.
Okabe’s in-laws told police that he acquired a loan of five million Shillings from Opportunity Bank to facilitate his transport business but his business partner disappeared with the car, forcing him into hiding.
The family has been arrested at Katakwi Central Police Station on charges of trafficking in persons against the family.
Oscar Ageca, the East Kyoga Regional Police Spokesman promised to comment on the matter after receiving a brief from the officers on the ground.
