Police have arrested a 20-year-old man identified as Abdullah Katende Waiswa in connection to the kidnap and killing of seven-year-old John Isabirye, a resident of Bulungu village in Namwendwa town council in Kamuli district.
Katende was arrested from his hideout in Bombo where residents became suspicious of how he was managing his life without working.
Upon interrogation, the suspect was handed over to Kamuli territorial police commanders, who confirmed that he was a wanted prime suspect in a pending child sacrifice case.
The suspect reportedly kidnapped Isabirye from his parent's home on January 2nd, 2023 before he contacted Isabirye's father, Robert Muwodi demanding a ransom of Shillings 50 Million.
However, residents got involved in the negotiations forcing him to cut the ransom to Shillings 3 million, which was to be sent to his phone in less than two hours.
But, when Muwodi failed to raise the money, Katende instructed him to send Shillings 50,000 to direct him to the spot where they would find Isabirye's lifeless body.
The body was found tied up with ropes in a neighboring sugarcane plantation and when postmortem was conducted at Kamuli general hospital revealed that Isabirye had been strangled to death.
Muwodi says that Katende was their renowned client who used to purchase petrol from their stall, which had since increased his bond with the children.
Muwodi adds that his arrest will not only accord justice to the deceased, but also create psychological stability for the surviving family members.
The Busoga North police spokesperson, Michael Kasadha confirms that two other suspects Ayub Ngobi and Ronald Muwanguzi were picked up for aiding and concealing the crime.
Kasadha says that police inquiries are complete and the suspect's file has been taken to the resident state attorney for perusal before the suspects appear before the court.
