UPDF officer arrested over kidnap
By Marvin Ocol
A UPDF officer, No.RA242764 Pte Andrew Justine Aguwa, attached to Ruhengeri (85) and a resident of Senior Quarter cell, Hospital Ward, in Pallisa District, has been arrested and detained at the Central Police Station in Pallisa over kidnapping (CRB 469/2023).
Also arrested are Emma Okanya, 28; Constance Okiria, 18, a student at Pallisa S.S.; and Florence Anna Imoit, 28.
On August 10, 2023, Anna Grace Ariong, 50, a teacher and a resident of Kapuai village, Kauai parish, Opwetete sub county, Pallisa District, reported a case of kidnapping and the disappearance of one Aguti Harriet, a student at Pallisa Secondary School.
Against the above background, a case was registered and investigations commenced Vide Palisa CRB. 469/2023.
It’s alleged that the victim, Aguti, 16, lost an Itel phone belonging to Okiria, a student at the same school.
Two days earlier, they had waylaid Aguti, and kidnapped her with the help of two others: Okanya and Pte. Okiria.
Okiria, with the help of his sister, Imoit, hid their victim for two days.
After that, she was transported to a lodge in the area, where they started calling Aguti’s parents, asking for money in exchange for her.
However, they were rounded up and arrested by the Police.
A source says the four suspects remain in detention at Pallisa CPS, while the victim has been handed over to her parents as authorities await results from her medical examination.