news 22 June 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Two Arrested in Connection with Kidnap and Murder of 7-Year-Old Boy in Kyenjojo
Police in Kyenjojo District have apprehended two individuals, aged 26 and 17, on suspicion of kidnapping and subsequently murdering a seven-year-old boy. The child was reportedly lured from his neighborhood while returning from a local bar. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/police-arrest-two-over-kidnap-murder-of-7-year-old-kyenjojo-boy-5505736
Police in Kyenjojo have arrested two suspects in the tragic kidnapping and murder of a seven-year-old boy, identified as Osber Turinayo. The child disappeared on June 12 while on his way home from a local bar where he had been watching a movie with friends.
Initial reports indicate that Turinayo never returned home after the movie, prompting a search by family and local residents. Three days later, on June 15, the family received a ransom demand of Shs1.5 million from an unidentified caller, threatening the boy’s life if the money was not paid.
According to police spokesperson Kituuma Rusoke, the family had already alerted the authorities, who initiated an investigation. Detectives successfully tracked and arrested Isaiah Manyindo, 26, and Erias Twimukye, 17. During interrogation, the suspects confessed to the crime and led police to the location where the boy’s body was found concealed under tree leaves.
Rusoke stated that the investigation is ongoing before the suspects are brought before the courts. He also issued a stern warning to parents and guardians regarding child negligence, questioning why a seven-year-old would be out at a bar at 9 pm. He emphasized that while the suspects will face justice, the victim’s life cannot be restored due to adult failures.
This incident follows a pattern of similar kidnappings and murders across the country. Earlier this month, businesswoman Lydia Babirye Ssengendo was abducted and murdered despite a ransom payment. Another case involves a seven-year-old girl, Nancy Kenyangi, who vanished after being approached by a man offering to buy her chapati, with CCTV footage showing her with two unidentified men.
The annual police crime report indicates a concerning trend, with 118 kidnapping cases reported in 2025, down from 159 in 2024, highlighting the persistent threat of such crimes.