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Police arrest three, rescue stolen child in Luwero
“It is alleged that on October 28, 2026, the child was stolen while buying pancakes. The case was reported to Police the same day, and investigations to search for the victim commenced immediately," Twiineamazima said on Tuesday, November 3, 2026.
Sam Twiineamazima, the Savanah regional police spokesperson, identified the child’s parents as Hassan Wassanga and Joyce Babirye, residents of the same village.
By: Charles Etukuri, Journalist @New Vision
LUWERO - Police in Luwero District are investigating the circumstances surrounding the theft and later recovery of a five-year-old girl, Shabira Wassanga, a juvenile who went missing on the evening of October 28, 2026, in Mabale Village, Luwero Town Council.
Sam Twiineamazima, the Savanah regional police spokesperson, identified the child’s parents as Hassan Wassanga and Joyce Babirye, residents of the same village.
“It is alleged that on October 28, 2026, the child was stolen while buying pancakes. The case was reported to Police the same day, and investigations to search for the victim commenced immediately," Twiineamazima said on Tuesday, November 3, 2026.
He added that on October 29, 2026, the parents returned to Police with a man identified as Muhammad Ssekanjako, who claimed he had seen the victim at the home of a witchdoctor. Acting on this information, Police searched the witchdoctor’s shrine, but the child was not found.
Twiineamazima revealed that police arrested and detained the witchdoctor, a woman found at the shrine, and Ssekanjako to assist with investigations.
He said Ssekanjako was arrested because his account of how he knew the child was at the shrine was unclear and doubtful.
“On October 30, 2026, Police continued the search and re-interviewed him. He then admitted that he was the person who stole the child. He told Police that he took the victim to Nkologe Village and handed her over to his brother, Frank Musisi. Musisi allegedly handed the child to his mother and wife. The claim that the child was at the witchdoctor’s shrine was intended to divert the investigation,” Twiineamazima explained.
He said police went to Nkologe Village in Luwero sub-county and recovered the girl at the home of Musisi, the brother of the prime suspect. Twiineamazima said Musisi ran away, but Police arrested his wife, who was keeping the child, and his mother.
Twiineamazima revealed that police arrested and detained the witchdoctor, a woman found at the shrine, and Ssekanjako to assist with investigations.
He said Ssekanjako was arrested because his account of how he knew the child was at the shrine was unclear and doubtful.
“On October 30, 2026, Police continued the search and re-interviewed him. He then admitted that he was the person who stole the child. He told Police that he took the victim to Nkologe Village and handed her over to his brother, Frank Musisi. Musisi allegedly handed the child to his mother and wife. The claim that the child was at the witchdoctor’s shrine was intended to divert the investigation,” Twiineamazima explained.
He said police went to Nkologe Village in Luwero sub-county and recovered the girl at the home of Musisi, the brother of the prime suspect. Twiineamazima said Musisi ran away, but Police arrested his wife, who was keeping the child, and his mother.
“The alleged motive was that the prime suspect had never produced a child and wanted to adopt the victim as his own child. The victim was examined and found to be in good health. She has been reunited with her biological parents. Three suspects are currently in Police custody,” Twiineamazima added.
He said the case file was being prepared for submission to the Resident State Attorney for legal guidance.
Police commended the security forces and community members for their cooperation, which led to the safe recovery of the child.
This will not be the first time the Police are handling cases involving the abduction, kidnapping for ransom, and fraudulent acquisition of infants and young children
In September this year, Nateete Police safely recovered a two-week-old baby stolen from a home in Lugala by the family’s newly hired maid after she vanished with the infant, the baby's clothes, and the birth certificate just days after being recruited.
He said the case file was being prepared for submission to the Resident State Attorney for legal guidance.
Police commended the security forces and community members for their cooperation, which led to the safe recovery of the child.
This will not be the first time the Police are handling cases involving the abduction, kidnapping for ransom, and fraudulent acquisition of infants and young children
In September this year, Nateete Police safely recovered a two-week-old baby stolen from a home in Lugala by the family’s newly hired maid after she vanished with the infant, the baby's clothes, and the birth certificate just days after being recruited.