Three-year-old girl kidnapped and killed in Busia after ransom demand

28 September 2026, 11:05 am

By Mulyamboga Isaiah

Police in Busia District are investigating the kidnapping and murder of three-year-old Nabwire Everlyn, a resident of Bubolwa Village in Bulumbi Sub-county.

The child was allegedly kidnapped by Bwire Edrine, an adult male and resident of the same village, after she went to play with other children at his home.

According to police, the incident occurred on September 24, 2026, at about 4:00 p.m. The girl’s mother returned home and realised that her daughter was missing. After searching for her without success, she called the child’s father, Ouma David, who had gone to a nearby trading centre.

Ouma reportedly told her that he had left the child playing at Bwire’s home with other children. The parents immediately went to Bwire’s home to inquire about their daughter’s whereabouts. However, police said Bwire allegedly harassed them and accused them of failing to pay him to look after the child.

Later that night, Bwire allegedly began calling the child’s father, claiming that he was holding the girl. He reportedly demanded a ransom of Shs2 million for her release but did not disclose where she was being held.

The suspect allegedly continued calling the father using the same telephone number. On September 25, he reportedly increased the ransom demand to Shs7 million. The escalation prompted the father to report the matter to the police.

At about 3:53 a.m. on September 26, the father made a distressed call to Flying Squad officer Corporal Isabirye Mohammed. Police said the suspect had contacted him and informed him that the child’s body had been dumped at Bulumbi, along the Jinja Highway.

Officers went to the scene and recovered the body. A police sniffer dog was introduced and followed a trail for approximately half a kilometre to the home of Muhwana Lawrence, who was arrested to assist with the investigation.

The child’s body was taken to Masafu Government Hospital for a post-mortem examination.

Moses Mugwe, the Bukedi South Regional Police spokesperson, said the body had a cut across the left side of the waist, another cut on the thigh extending towards the private parts, bruises on the right knee, a cut on the left shoulder and a deep wound at the back of the head.

Police are continuing with investigations to establish the circumstances surrounding the kidnapping and murder. Bwire Edrine is being treated as a key suspect, while Muhwana Lawrence remains in custody to assist detectives with the investigation. The police have not yet indicated whether the child’s body had been formally examined or whether additional suspects had been arrested.

Mugwe appealed to parents and guardians to closely monitor their children’s movements and whereabouts.

He said active parental supervision could help families identify danger quickly, report disappearances without delay and create an opportunity for law-enforcement officers to intervene before a child’s life is put at further risk.