Just like in Kenya, there has been disturbing cases of abductions in Uganda.

Last week, Kenya’s Inspector General of Police distanced his police officers from the rampant cases of abductions in the country.

“Police don’t abduct people, police don’t kidnap people. Police conduct arrests and detain the culprits in lawful custody,” Kanja said in a session with MPs, insisting that they do not know the perpetrators of this abductions.

This statement elicited the ire of Kenyans and civil society bodies. Kenyans were of the opinion that the police should be in a position to tell the country who is abducting persons.

Uganda police to the rescue

In Uganda, police rescued a foreign national from the hands of his abductors.

Muhammad Ali Abdul Amidu, an Egyptian national and official at the Egyptian Embassy, was on November 8, 2024 kidnapped by unidentified assailants on Zanna-Entebbe Road and taken to an unknown location.

The kidnappers, authorities say, demanded a ransom of $40,000, threatening to kill him if their demands were not fulfilled. The incident was reported to Jinja Road Police Division.

“Following the report, our Crime Intelligence Unit and the Directorate of Intelligence Services of the UPDF began tracking the suspects, monitoring their movements between various locations. On November 13, 2024, around 2:00 PM, officers intercepted them while they were heading to Pearl Motel in Buloba, Wakiso District,” Uganda Police Spokesperson Kituuma Rusoke said on Wednesday, November 13.

Kidnappers demanded $40,000

According to Uganda police report, the kidnappers were in a Toyota Noah with registration number UAZ 247S, which had three occupants at the time of the interception.

During the operation, one of the kidnappers was shot dead in a confrontation with the police.

Fortunately, Amidu was rescued unharmed.

The other two suspects were arrested and placed in custody even as investigations into the kidnapping continue.