Crime Intelligence Rescues Two-Year-Old Kidnapped from Kampala Salon
The Crime Intelligence rescues kidnapped child story unfolded after a two‑year‑old boy was abducted from a salon in Kampala and smuggled across the border. Police successfully recovered him near a refugee camp close to the DRC, ending a ransom plot demanding Shs30 million.
Swift Abduction and Ransom Demand
On the evening of July 21, 2025, Ivan Benti disappeared from his mother’s salon along Musajja Alumbwa Road around 7 pm. His mother, Margaret Yanguruje, shared that he vanished while she attended to clients. Despite immediate searches, the child remained missing until the next day.
A stranger later delivered a phone number to the salon, and when Yanguruje called, a voice confirmed the child had been taken and demanded Shs30 million. Negotiations reduced the amount to Shs5 million before police involvement.
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Operation Shujaa and Cross-Border Surveillance
Operatives from Uganda’s Police Crime Intelligence Directorate, working in coordination with UPDF under Operation Shujaa, tracked the suspect’s trail across the border into the DRC. Investigators used digital forensics to trace ransom calls and pinpointed the child’s location.
They discovered suspect 17-year-old Amani Jasteri, a salon cleaner known to the family, had fled with Ivan to Nyakabande refugee settlement, before crossing into Congo. Eventually, officers detained him and secured the safe rescue of the boy.
Reunification and Emotional Aftermath
The rescued child was officially handed to his mother at Kampala police headquarters, where tearful reunions followed. Yanguruje expressed relief and gratitude: “I thought my son had been killed… I couldn’t believe it when police told me they had rescued him.”
Police praised the mother’s swift response and the intelligence team’s professionalism in coordinating a cross-border operation.
Preventive Measures and Public Appeal
Police urged public vigilance when someone unfamiliar suddenly presents a child. Officials advised verifying relationships and reporting suspicious situations to the nearest police post immediately.
Owoyesigyire encouraged parents and communities to stay alert, adding that cooperating with law enforcement greatly aids swift intervention.
This case highlights Uganda’s growing proficiency in using Crime Intelligence rescues kidnapped child operations to resolve serious crimes. With effective cross-border coordination and community involvement, the police successfully thwarted an international abduction—a powerful testament to their evolving capabilities.
