Summary:

• A couple in Jinja District was arrested for faking a kidnapping to extort money for school fees and debts, with the wife admitting to the ruse after police found her at a friend’s place in Namulesa, prompting a stern warning from authorities.

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A couple in Jinja District was apprehended and charged on Friday for purportedly orchestrating a fake kidnapping in an attempt to extort money for settling school fees and clearing accumulated debts dating back to 2022.

The arrested individuals are Faridah Namugera, 38, and Michael Ngobi, 41, both residing in Buwagi village, Budondo sub-county in Jinja district.

Confirmation of the arrest came from SP James Mubi, the Kiira Regional Police Spokesperson, who disclosed that the husband had reported his wife’s alleged kidnapping at Budondo police station. According to the report, the wife was claimed to have been abducted while en route to Budondo Health Centre IV for antenatal care.

“On January 3, 2024, Faridah’s husband Michael Ngobi, 41, reported a case of kidnap at Budondo police station claiming that his wife had been kidnapped as she was proceeding to Budondo HC IV for antenatal services,” stated SP Mubi in a Friday release.

Ngobi’s account detailed the alleged kidnapper’s route, claiming they traveled in a purported Toyota Noah from Jinja Amber court roundabout to Iganga and finally to Budaka. The kidnappers reportedly demanded a ransom of shs2m from the wife’s relatives.

In response to this report, the police in Jinja initiated a thorough investigation, collaborating with sister agencies such as the flying squad and senior trackers employing GPS coordinates. Their efforts revealed that Faridah was actually in Namulesa in Jinja City during the supposed kidnapping. They subsequently located her at a friend’s residence on Friday, January 5, where she was found consuming alcoholic beverages and eating pork.

Mubi confirmed that Faridah’s alleged kidnappers were using her phone number to demand a ransom of 2m.

The false report generated unwarranted panic and suspicion in the Budondo area, prompting security unrest as authorities pursued the purported culprits for arrest and the recovery of the alleged victim.

Mubi expressed disappointment at the couple’s actions, emphasizing the disturbance caused to the community and law enforcement. He urged the public to refrain from creating dishonest narratives, emphasizing the importance of living exemplary lives in society.

Investigations revealed that Faridah’s family, led by her mother, had raised shs1.43 and sent it to her. However, upon police intervention in Namulesa, Faridah admitted to faking the kidnapping in collaboration with her husband to secure funds for their four children’s school fees. She justified their actions by citing the financial challenges of January and the imminent resumption of school in early February.