By Faridah Namugera and her husband, Michael Ngobi, have been arrested by Kiira region police for allegedly fabricating a kidnapping.
According to reports, Ngobi, a resident of Buwagi cell in Budondo ward, Northern division, Jinja city, stated to authorities that Namugera was kidnapped by unknown assailants while visiting Budondo Health Centre IV for antenatal services on January 3, 2024.
Ngobi further said that Namugera was put into a black Noah series vehicle and driven to an unknown destination while onlookers watched.
Ngobi went on to say that his spouse had been taken to a private home in Jami village, Budaka district, where the intruders used her phone to call him and demand a two million shilling ransom.
However, Ngobi’s statement contrasted information obtained from witnesses who claimed to have seen Namugera board a taxi to the Amber court stage in Jinja’s southern division before jumping on a motorcycle and speeding away towards the Jinja-Iganga highway.
Following these parallel claims, police mobilized 1.4 million shillings, along with flying squad troops and senior trackers, and GPS coordinates confirmed that Namugera was in Namulesa ward, Northern Division, Jinja city.
According to Kiira regional police spokesperson James Mubi, Namugera was apprehended last night at her friend’s house in Namulesa ward.
According to Mubi, the duo is currently arrested at Buwenge central police station, where they are charged with three counts of faking a kidnapping, inciting public commotion, and presenting police with inaccurate information.
Meanwhile, the couple admitted to the charges and apologized, stating that they just staged the kidnapping to earn tuition for their four children.
