Police arrest suspect in Namayingo following ransom demands and the death of three-year-old Evelyn Nabwire in Busia District.
Police have arrested a man in connection with the Busia child kidnap case involving three-year-old Evelyn Nabwire, who disappeared from her village before later being found dead.
The suspect, identified by police as Edrine Bwire, was arrested in Namayingo District in the early hours of Thursday, October 1, 2026. Police say he had been wanted over allegations that the child was kidnapped and that her family was later contacted with demands for millions of shillings in ransom.
Busia child kidnap began after girl disappeared
Evelyn reportedly disappeared on September 24 from Bubolwa Village in Bulumbi Sub-county, Busia District.
According to police accounts, the three-year-old had gone to play with other children at a nearby home. Her parents began searching for her after realizing that she had not returned.
Police say Evelyn’s father, David Ouma, later received a phone call from Bwire, who allegedly claimed to have the child.
Investigators said an initial ransom demand of Shs2 million was made for the girl’s release. The amount was later allegedly increased to Shs7 million. The family reported the matter to police as efforts to locate the child continued.
Child later found dead along Busia-Jinja highway
The search ended tragically when Evelyn was found dead along the Busia-Jinja highway in Bulumbi.
Police officers from Busia Central Police Station visited the scene and opened an investigation into the circumstances surrounding her disappearance and death.
The child’s body was later taken to Masafu Government Hospital for a postmortem examination.
Police said investigators documented evidence at the scene and collected statements from witnesses as part of the inquiry.
Police initially arrested another suspect
Before Bwire’s arrest, police detained another man, identified as Muhwana Lawrence, to assist with investigations.
According to earlier reports, a police canine unit followed a scent from the area where Evelyn was found towards Lawrence’s home, leading officers to take him into custody as investigations continued.
At that point, Bwire was still being sought by investigators.
Busia child kidnap suspect arrested in Namayingo
Police later traced Bwire to Namaji Village in Namayuge Parish, Buswale Sub-county, Namayingo District.
Bukedi South Regional Police spokesperson Moses Johnson Mugwe confirmed that the suspect was arrested on October 1.
Police said officers subsequently carried out further investigative procedures, including reconstructing parts of the events connected to the case.
Authorities say investigations remain ongoing as detectives work to establish the full circumstances of Evelyn’s kidnapping and death and determine the roles, if any, played by the people taken into custody.
Police urge parents to closely monitor children
Following the incident, police appealed to parents and guardians to closely monitor the whereabouts of young children and report suspicious situations quickly.
Mugwe also urged residents to remain calm while detectives complete their investigation and prepare the evidence needed for the next stages of the case.
The arrest marks a major development in an investigation that began after Evelyn disappeared on September 24 and prompted a search involving her family, local police and specialized investigative teams.
Authorities have stressed that the case remains under investigation, and allegations against those arrested have not yet been determined by a court.
