Police in Kampala have arrested a suspected serial child kidnapper linked to a string of abductions targeting young boys across the city.
The suspect, identified as Isaac Odongo, was picked up on May 4, 2026, during an intelligence-led operation by the Flying Squad. He is believed to be behind multiple kidnapping cases reported in Old Kampala and Wandegeya.
According to Police spokesperson ACP Kituuma Rusoke, the arrest follows investigations into the abduction of three juveniles Ethan Kasirye, 5, Joram Kalenzi Yosam, 6, and Ramathan Kibira, 5.
“Through the use of advanced policing technology, the suspect was tracked and arrested in Nankulabye. He later confessed to abducting the three children on separate occasions and demanding ransom from their parents,” Rusoke said.
Police say the suspect kidnapped the children between April 28 and May 2 from areas including Kasubi, Nankulabye, and Makerere.
Investigations reveal that Kalenzi Joram was abducted from Kasubi and later abandoned in Njeru near Jinja Bridge after no ransom was paid. Ethan Kasirye was reportedly taken to Lira, while Ramathan Kibira was kidnapped from Makerere and later released in Kalerwe after the suspect received Shs40,000 from the child’s mother.
Two of the victims, Kalenzi and Kibira have since been rescued, while arrangements are underway to safely return Ethan from Lira.
Police say investigations are ongoing.
According to the 2025 Police Annual Crime Report, 118 children were kidnapped in 2025, a decrease from 159 cases recorded in 2024.
