Kidnappers Murder 6-Year-Old Child After Parents Failed To Pay Ransom

Officials discovered a 6-year-old child dead four days after kidnappers the kid abducted in Entebbe Town, Wakiso District, Uganda.

Detectives discovered Joram Kato Were's body in a deteriorating state after arresting the accused kidnapper who brought them to the crime scene on Wednesday, July 7.

"The suspects had demanded Shs4m from the parents of the child as ransom to release him. The parent, Mr. Eriya Were, was able to recognize the voice of one suspect," Kampala Metropolitan Police deputy spokesperson Luke Owoyesigyire said per Daily Monitor.

Mr. Owoyesigyire said the main suspect "admitted to the kidnapping and led the detectives to where the victim's body was discovered."

The child's death has resulted in the detention of three additional police officers involved in the crime. "The suspect and three others have been arrested on charges of murder," he said.

Reports indicate Kato disappeared on Jul. 3, 2021, causing his father to submit a report with Kasenyi Police Space. Were's father said on Jul. 5 that a kidnapper, which he did not reveal, asked for Shs4 million.

If the father failed to give the money or keep the authorities away from the case, the suspects threatened to kill his child.

Mr. Were, Kato's father, contacted police about a person he 'strongly' suspected of making a reputation for himself, resulting in the arrests.

Ugandan police advise parents to ensure that their children are monitored throughout the lockdown because many of us are looking for any way to generate money, including illegal means.

He appealed to the general public to remain cautious regarding the locations of their children for the duration of this lockdown. The child's remains were transferred to the Kampala Metropolis mortuary for an autopsy.

Kidnappings are still common in the country, Daily Monitor claimed. In Uganda, 207 cases of kidnapping were reported to police last year, compared to 159 occurrences this year, a 30 percent rise.

However, 142 of the incidents involved actual kidnaps, while 65 involved "self-kidnaps."