Police in Butogota, Kanungu district commenced investigations into the matter of which two teenagers were kidnapped by Congolese armed men.
The kidnapped were identified as Akim Niwagaba, 13 and Ramathan Ayinamani,10.
The Kigezi Sub-region Police spokesperson, Elly Maate, said the two children are pupils of Ntungamo Primary School in Butogota town council in Kanungu district.
According to police, the two boys were out with their mother but they were a few metres away from her, two men armed with AK 47 and wearing army camouflage went away with the two boys to yet unknown destination in DR Congo and since then, no progress and communication has been made.
“The two boys were kidnapped from a place called Manure, located in Bugarama cell, Munyaga parish, Binza sub-county in DR Congo,” Maate said.
According to new reports, the kidnappers have demanded a ransom of Shs4 million before they can release the children.
Mr Jackson Tukahirwa, an uncle of the kidnapped
“We have offered Shs1m to the kidnappers but they have refused it, insisting that they want Shs4m. We are still negotiating with them,” Mr Tukahirwa Jackson, an uncle of the kidnapped said.
He explained that they bought the land on which they are planting rice from Congolese nationals and denied any failed deals with the kidnappers.
This is one of the many kidnaps of several Ugandans by armed Congolese men.
On April 2, four armed men suspected to be Congolese nationals ambushed a tourist van in Queen Elizabeth National Park and kidnapped an American tourist, Ms Kimbley Sue Endecott, and the driver, Mr Jean Paul Mirenge. The duo was released after ransom was paid.
On April 22, the militias kidnapped two Ugandans and are still demanding for ransom of $3,000.
