TOP STORY | KAMPALA
Teenage Congolese National Arrested for Kidnapping Toddler in Kampala, Demanded Ransom Dropping from Shs30M to Shs20K
A joint operation by Uganda Police Crime Intelligence and the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) has led to the arrest of an 18-year-old Congolese national accused of kidnapping a two-year-old boy in Kampala and demanding a ransom that bizarrely dropped from Shs30 million to just Shs20,000.
The suspect, identified as Amani Justa, hails from Ruchuru District in the Democratic Republic of Congo. He was working as a cleaner at a salon along Musajja-Alubwa Road in Mengo, which is owned by the child’s mother, Margret Bangurize. The child, Ivan Benti, was abducted from the premises around 7:00 p.m. last Thursday.
According to police, Amani transported the toddler across districts and into Kisoro, where the child was hidden at various locations, including Nyakabande Refugee Camp. The suspect then began issuing ransom demands to the family, starting at Shs30 million and later reducing the amount multiple times.
Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson Luke Owoyesigyire described the negotiations as erratic and deeply troubling.
“The kidnapper started with a demand of Shs30 million, then reduced it to 25 million, 20 million, then 5 million—before absurdly settling on Shs20,000, claiming he needed food. This behaviour was disturbing and inhumane,” he said.
Through coordinated efforts, authorities were able to track the suspect’s movements. Amani was eventually apprehended in the DRC, extradited back to Uganda, and later led investigators to the refugee camp, where the child was found unharmed.
Ivan Benti has since been safely reunited with his parents at Kampala Central Police Station, while the suspect remains in custody. Police say investigations are ongoing to determine whether Amani acted alone or was part of a broader network.
