Moses Johnson Mugwe, the Bukedi South police spokesperson, confirmed the incident and said detectives had arrested one suspect while efforts were underway to apprehend Bwire.
Police in Busia District are holding one suspect and have launched a manhunt for another following the alleged kidnapping and murder of a three-year-old girl.
The deceased, identified as Evelyn Nabwire, was allegedly abducted on September 24, 2026, at about 6:00pm from Bubolwa Village, Bulumbi Sub-county.
Police have identified the arrested suspect as Muhwana Lawrance, while Edrine Bwire, both residents of Bubolwa Village, is being sought in connection with the incident.
According to David Ouma, the girl’s father, the family began searching for Evelyn after she went missing. Later that night, Ouma received a phone call from Bwire, a neighbour, demanding money in exchange for the child’s release.
Ouma said Bwire initially demanded sh2m, but later increased the ransom to sh7m, instructing the family to send the money to a mobile phone number.
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Unable to raise the demanded sh7m ransom, Ouma reported the matter to police. He was later devastated when his daughter’s body was discovered lying along the Busia-Jinja highway in Bulumbi.
Preliminary police findings indicate that the child had several injuries, including cuts on the left side of the waist, thighs and left hand, as well as injuries to the shoulder and a deep cut to the back of the head. Police also noted bruises on her right knee and other injuries.
Moses Johnson Mugwe, the Bukedi South police spokesperson, confirmed the incident and said detectives had arrested one suspect while efforts were underway to apprehend Bwire.
He said the suspects would face charges related to child kidnapping and murder once investigations are completed.
Mugwe appealed to members of the public who may have information about the whereabouts of the suspect on the run to report to the nearest police station.
He also urged parents and guardians to closely monitor their children’s movements and promptly report cases of missing children to authorities to facilitate timely intervention.
The arrested suspect is being held at Busia Central Police Station, while the child’s body was taken to the mortuary at Masafu General Hospital pending further investigations and postmortem procedures.
