Alleged notorious child kidnapper arrested in Kampala

_________________

Police say they have arrested a suspected serial child kidnapper following a wave of abductions that terrorised families across Kampala's northern divisions last week.

Isaac Odongo was arrested on the evening of May 4, 2026, at about 6:00pm in Nankulabye Zone 7, following an intelligence-led operation mounted by Flying Squad Unit.

His arrest brings to a close a harrowing eight-day ordeal that saw three young boys, all aged between five and six years, snatched from their families in separate incidents.

The victims, Ethan Kasirye (5), Joram Yosam Kalenzi (6) and Ramathan Kibira (5), were taken from Kasubi Zone 1 and Nankulabye Zone 7 in Makerere Division, as well as parts of Kawempe Division.

The cases were registered under three separate Crime Reference Books; CRB 468/2026 and CRB 485/2026 at Old Kampala, and CRB 200/2006 at Wandegeya.

According to Police Spokesperson Rusoke Kituuma, the suspect confessed during interrogation to carrying out all three abductions between April 28 and May 2, 2026, each time demanding ransom from the children's parents.

Kalenzi was the first to be taken, abducted from Kasubi on April 28. When his family failed to meet the ransom demand, Odongo abandoned the six-year-old in Njeru, near the Jinja Bridge.

Two days later, on April 30, Kasirye was seized from Nankulabye and transported as far as Lira in northern Uganda.

The suspect then returned to Kampala and, on May 2, abducted the youngest of the three; Kibira, from Makerere, holding him while pressing his family for payment.

On May 3, after receiving sh40,000 from the child's mother, Odongo released Kibira and abandoned him in Kalerwe at approximately 11:00 p.m.

Kituuma confirmed that two of the three children have since been recovered.

Kalenzi was found in Njeru, while Kibira Ramathan was located in Kalerwe.

Kasirye remains in Lira, though Lira City West Police have confirmed his whereabouts, and arrangements are underway to facilitate his safe return to his family.

Kituuma credited the swift arrest to the use of advanced policing technology deployed in tracking the suspect across the city.

Odongo is currently in custody as investigations continue.