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Police rescue kidnapped toddler, arrest over 88 suspects in Kampala crime crackdown
According to police, the child’s mother took the toddler to her workplace and left him playing with other children behind the building at around 3:00pm. But when she later went to pick him up for feeding, she discovered that the baby boy had disappeared.
Kampala Metropolitan Policing (KMP) spokesperson Rachael Kawala. (File)
By: Simon Masaba, Journalist @New Vision
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Police in Kampala have rescued a kidnapped toddler and arrested over 88 suspects linked to various crimes across the Kampala Metropolitan Policing (KMP) area.
Among those arrested during a series of operations aimed at combating crime are suspected motorcycle thieves.
Addressing a press conference at Police Headquarters in Naguru, Kampala, today (June 22, 2026), KMP spokesperson Rachael Kawala said security agencies had registered a significant breakthrough in ongoing efforts to tackle kidnapping, theft and other criminal activities within the city.
Kawala revealed that police had arrested a suspect identified as Emmanuel Kalamba, 25, a resident of Musita 'A' Village in Mayuge District, in connection with the kidnapping of a one-year-and-three-month-old boy who was abducted from Kibe-Zone in Kawempe Division on June 19.
According to police, the child’s mother took the toddler to her workplace and left him playing with other children behind the building at around 3:00pm. But when she later went to pick him up for feeding, she discovered that the baby boy had disappeared.
“Residents informed the mother that they had seen a man wearing a red T-shirt pick up the child and leave with him,” Kawala said.
The incident was immediately reported to police, prompting a search operation that led investigators to Mulago Hospital, where the suspect was arrested and the child rescued.
“The child was successfully recovered and reunited with his parents. Investigations are ongoing to establish the motive behind the kidnapping,” Kawala said, adding that they had recovered other exhibits from the suspect.
She urged parents and guardians to closely monitor their children at all times, warning that criminals continue to target vulnerable minors.
According to police, the child’s mother took the toddler to her workplace and left him playing with other children behind the building at around 3:00pm. But when she later went to pick him up for feeding, she discovered that the baby boy had disappeared.
“Residents informed the mother that they had seen a man wearing a red T-shirt pick up the child and leave with him,” Kawala said.
The incident was immediately reported to police, prompting a search operation that led investigators to Mulago Hospital, where the suspect was arrested and the child rescued.
“The child was successfully recovered and reunited with his parents. Investigations are ongoing to establish the motive behind the kidnapping,” Kawala said, adding that they had recovered other exhibits from the suspect.
She urged parents and guardians to closely monitor their children at all times, warning that criminals continue to target vulnerable minors.
Motorcycle thefts
In a separate incident, police at Central Police Station arrested two suspects linked to motorcycle thefts. This followed intelligence reports that two men riding on motorcycle registration number UDA 998C were attempting to steal another motorcycle at Shamba Complex in Kampala.
Police officers responded swiftly, tracked down the suspects and recovered a motorcycle believed to have been stolen. “The suspects are currently in custody as investigations continue,” Kawala said.
80 arrested in crackdown
Kawala also revealed that a series of disruptive operations conducted in several places across KMP area, resulted into the arrest of 88 suspected criminals.
At Central Police Station, officers carried out operations around the High Court traffic lights, Railway Grounds and Arua Park, resulting in the arrest of 40 suspects.
Additional operations conducted by Kira and Katwe Police Divisions led to the arrest of another 48 suspects in various parts of the city.
According to Kawala, police recovered suspected narcotic substances and several mobile phones believed to have been stolen.
“All suspects remain in custody pending court proceedings and further investigations into their respective cases,” she said.
Meanwhile, police also carried out an operation at a washing bay in Nakati Zone, Wakiso district, where more than 44 motorcycles were recovered.
The proprietor of the facility, identified as Bruhan Sebunya, also known as King Designer, was arrested and is under detention to assist investigators.
Police are currently verifying ownership of the motorcycles and investigating whether they may be linked to criminal activities.
Man burnt to death
In another development, police in Mukono District are investigating the death of an unidentified man whose severely burnt body was discovered in a bush in Nama sub-county on Saturday (June 20).
Residents, who discovered the body, reported that smoke was still emanating from both the remains and nearby clothing at the scene.
“The body was recovered and conveyed to Mulago City Mortuary for post-mortem examination and identification,” Kawala said.
Police recovered several exhibits from the scene, including a matchbox and a bottle containing a liquid suspected to be petrol.
While investigators have not ruled out foul play, Kawala said one of the theories being explored is that the deceased may have taken his own life.
In a separate incident, police at Central Police Station arrested two suspects linked to motorcycle thefts. This followed intelligence reports that two men riding on motorcycle registration number UDA 998C were attempting to steal another motorcycle at Shamba Complex in Kampala.
Police officers responded swiftly, tracked down the suspects and recovered a motorcycle believed to have been stolen. “The suspects are currently in custody as investigations continue,” Kawala said.
80 arrested in crackdown
Kawala also revealed that a series of disruptive operations conducted in several places across KMP area, resulted into the arrest of 88 suspected criminals.
At Central Police Station, officers carried out operations around the High Court traffic lights, Railway Grounds and Arua Park, resulting in the arrest of 40 suspects.
Additional operations conducted by Kira and Katwe Police Divisions led to the arrest of another 48 suspects in various parts of the city.
According to Kawala, police recovered suspected narcotic substances and several mobile phones believed to have been stolen.
“All suspects remain in custody pending court proceedings and further investigations into their respective cases,” she said.
Meanwhile, police also carried out an operation at a washing bay in Nakati Zone, Wakiso district, where more than 44 motorcycles were recovered.
The proprietor of the facility, identified as Bruhan Sebunya, also known as King Designer, was arrested and is under detention to assist investigators.
Police are currently verifying ownership of the motorcycles and investigating whether they may be linked to criminal activities.
Man burnt to death
In another development, police in Mukono District are investigating the death of an unidentified man whose severely burnt body was discovered in a bush in Nama sub-county on Saturday (June 20).
Residents, who discovered the body, reported that smoke was still emanating from both the remains and nearby clothing at the scene.
“The body was recovered and conveyed to Mulago City Mortuary for post-mortem examination and identification,” Kawala said.
Police recovered several exhibits from the scene, including a matchbox and a bottle containing a liquid suspected to be petrol.
While investigators have not ruled out foul play, Kawala said one of the theories being explored is that the deceased may have taken his own life.