Kidnap victim found drowning in river implicates uncle

Police have arrested a 55-year-old businessman for allegedly orchestrating the kidnap of a 40-year-old man in Sheema district.

Johnson Ahimbisibwe, a resident of Kitamba cell, Kibanga East parish, Kitagata sub-county in Sheema district and the proprietor of Executive Hotel in Rushere, Kiruhura district, is accused of kidnapping Brian Agaba, a resident of the same area.

Agaba was allegedly abducted from his home on January 14, 2024, at around 2:00 pm, by his uncle Ahimbisibwe and two accomplices who are still at large. They forcibly bundled him into a Toyota Wish vehicle, reg. no. UBA 105S, driven by Andrew Twijukye, 37, and whisked him away to an unknown location.

Johnson Ahimbisibwe is accused of kidnapping Brian Agaba.

The case was reported the following day, January 15, by Robert Nuwarimpa, LC1 chairperson of Kitamba cell, at Kashekuro Police Station under SD ref 04/15/01/2025. Police immediately launched a search operation.

Agaba was discovered drowning in River Ntungwa on the border with Kanungu and Rukungiri districts by some boys who were grazing animals along the riverbanks. The boys raised alarms, prompting residents to notify police from Nyamirama in Kanungu.

Recounting his ordeal after being rescued from the river, the victim told police that his kidnappers tied his hands and legs with ropes, blindfolded him with a piece of cloth, and subjected him to severe beatings before throwing him into the river.

Martial Tumusiime, the Greater Bushenyi region police spokesperson, confirmed the incident and stated that the victim sustained multiple injuries to his head, hands, and legs.

“He was then rushed to St Annah Health Centre by Nyamirama police of Kanungu district where he was admitted and was later transferred to Kitagata Hospital in Sheema district, where he is currently undergoing treatment,” said Martial.

The victim further disclosed that the kidnapping stemmed from an ongoing land dispute between him and the suspect.