Two charged, remanded over murdered Kampala businesswoman
The duo appeared before Wakiso Chief Magistrate- Naume Sikhoya, who read to them three counts of: Kidnap with intent to procure a ransom; Aggravated Robbery and Murder, of the deceased, who was also a niece to the former Buganda Premier, Eng. John Baptist Walusimbi.
Shafic Kagga and Abubakari Ntege at Wakiso Chief Magistrates Court on Tuesday, June, 16, 2026. The group, and their co-accused have been charged with kidnapping, robbery, and murder of Kampala businesswoman, Lydia Babirye. (Credit: Stuart Yiga)
WAKISO - Two men linked to the kidnapping, robbery, and murder of Kampala businesswoman, Lydia Babirye, were on Tuesday, June 16, arraigned and charged at Wakiso Chief Magistrate's Court.
Abubakari Ntege, 32, a welder and resident of Kiteredde village, in Wakiso District, was charged together with Shafic Kagga, 26, a Boda boda rider, of Nakuwadde village in Wakiso District.
The duo appeared before Wakiso Chief Magistrate Naume Sikhoya, who read to them three counts of: Kidnap with intent to procure a ransom; Aggravated Robbery and Murder, of the deceased, who was also a niece to the former Buganda Premier, Eng. John Baptist Walusimbi.
Prosecution led by Joy Peninnah Nakaweesa, the accused, detained 52-year-old Babirye Lydia against her will with intent to procure a ransom of 19 million shillings for her liberation from the danger of being murdered, between June 3rd and 4th, 2026, at Kiteredde village, Kakiri Town Council in Wakiso District.
The presiding Magistrate Sikhoya told the suspects that she has no jurisdiction to try their case, which is capital in nature, although they will be reporting to her Court for the mention of their case until investigations are complete, for them to be committed to the High Court for trial.
Nakaweesa from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions informed Court that investigations into the matter are still ongoing, and she applied for an adjournment to put all the facts together.
This prompted the presiding Magistrate to adjourn the matter and remanded the accused to Kigo government Prison, until July 8th.
Police established that Kagga’s number 07594688905 was used to demand for ransom, for which the deceased’s family sent Sh7m. (Credit: Stuart Yiga)
Investigations
The preliminary Police investigations indicate that Babirye left her home in Kigoowa-Ntinda, Nakawa Division, on June 3rd, and on Thursday, June 4th, her twin sister Sylvia Nakato reported a kidnapping case at Old Kampala Police vide SD: 70/04/06/2026.
Police established that Kagga’s number 07594688905 was used to demand for ransom, for which the deceased’s family sent Sh7m.
During interrogation, Kagga confessed that he had asked for the ransom on behalf of Abubaker Ntege, who was using No. 0775888700.
Detectives quizzed Ntege and quickly disclosed he had Babirye and his home in Kiteredde, village-Kakiri.
The deceased’s body was found dressed in a black blouse and trousers, while her hands had been tied with a rope, ready to be buried in a secret arrangement.
It is also alleged that the killers suffocated the deceased to death using a polyethene bag, since she had no bruises on her body.
About the deceased
Having lost her dad, the late Paul Ssengendo, in 1984, who was also the elder brother to former Buganda Kingdom Premier, Engineer John Baptist Walusimbi, Babirye started living with her mother, Lydia Namata, in Ntinda Kigoowa until her death.
At the time of his death, Ssengendo left behind 13 children, and Babirye, together with her twin sister Sylvia Nakato Ssali, were his second last born.