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A child who had been missing for nearly five years has finally been found by the Criminal Investigations Department's (CID), Sexual and Gender-Based Violence and Anti-Human Trafficking departments.

The child had been allegedly kept away from her father for the past five years after being picked up by her mother in April 2018 from a boarding school.

The girl victim, Bethany Nimurungi, now nine years old, was picked up from Asili Memorial Nursery and Primary School in Primary Four in Kabale district in April 2018, according to a statement released by Police spokesperson Fred Enanga. 

At the time, Bethany's biological mother, Mercy Kilande, had just separated from her husband, Tadeo Ruzindantaro, and had left for South Africa.

“The mother returned to South Africa, and left the victim, hidden with a relative at an unknown place. The victim had been picked from the school without the knowledge and consent of her father,” he noted.

He stressed that a serious search began and the victim was located and recovered on September 22, 2023, at the home of her friend, Phionah Rukundo, in Manyangwa, Gayaza in Wakiso district, after about five years.

Enanga reported that the victim is currently being housed in a shelter.

“A statement was recorded from the caretaker. Efforts are in place to record a statement from the mother of the victim, who is still in South Africa, and that of the disgruntled father, who has been searching for her missing daughter for the last five years,” he added.

He said that after their divorce, neither of the parents had a parenting plan or a custody arrangement.

Based on the particulars of the case, Enanga said the case file will be sent to the Director of Public Prosecution for legal advice.