Three arrested over kidnap, murder of Buvuma businesswoman

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Police in Buvuma district are holding three suspects in connection with the kidnapping and murder of a 62-year-old businesswoman, who was abducted, held for ransom, and later killed.

The deputy resident district commissioner of Buvuma, Patrick Mubiru, identified the deceased as Kasifa Nakaziba, a businesswoman who dealt in produce, operating between Buvuma district and Kiyindi in Buikwe district.

Mubiru named the suspects as Samuel Ngobi, also known as Rasta (35), a casual labourer from Lwazi village; Rashid Gadala (47), a casual labourer from Masese zone in Jinja city; and Annet Nabirye, identified as Gadala’s girlfriend.

The victim’s son, Abdallah Bogere, reported his mother’s abduction by unknown assailants on May 23, 2025, prompting police to launch investigations and begin tracing the suspects.

“The assailants were using the deceased’s phone to demand a ransom of sh1,000,000. They later reduced the amount to sh500,000 and ultimately received only sh50,000 via a phone number registered to Annet Nabirye,” Mubiru revealed.

Despite the payment, the family did not receive Nakaziba—dead or alive—which further deepened police investigations.

It is alleged that one of the suspects, Rashid Gadala, was arrested and later confessed to being involved in the murder along with his accomplice, Samuel Ngobi. Gadala reportedly told police that they killed Nakaziba on May 20, 2025.

One of the suspects, Rashid Gadala on handcuffs.

Although she was a known businesswoman, the suspects claimed she had only sh20,000 on her at the time of the abduction, which allegedly enraged them and led to her murder.

Deputy RDC Mubiru stated that the suspects took police to the crime scene, where they had buried the body in a sweet potato plantation in Lwazi village, Busamuzi subcounty, Buvuma district.

“The body of the deceased was found with her hands and legs bound. It was in a decomposing state and was taken to Buvuma Health Centre IV for a post-mortem examination,” Mubiru said.

The suspects allegedly also informed police of another businesswoman—name withheld—whom they claimed to have killed and promised to lead officers to the burial site of her remains.

Mubiru expressed shock over the incident and urged the public to report any missing relatives to the police to assist in the ongoing investigations and establish whether the suspects may have any connection to other crimes.

He commended the swift action of officers at Buvuma Police headquarters, whose prompt response to the abduction report led to the arrests and progress in the case.

When contacted, Ssezibwa Region Police spokesperson Hellen Butoto said she had not yet been briefed on the matter by press time.