APAC
A 32-year-old businesswoman is recovering at Apac Central Police Station (CPS) after a harrowing two-day ordeal, having narrowly escaped from kidnappers who held her and five other women for ransom.
The victim, Nankebe Susan, a bar operator from Nabiswera Trading Centre in Nakasongola District, was abducted this past Saturday, September 6th, 2025. According to her statement to police, the abduction occurred in Rwabiata Village as she was walking home from a service at Nalukonge SDA Church.
She reported that two men in an unidentified vehicle accosted her, forced her into the car, and blindfolded her. Before her vision was obscured, she noted a pistol on the front passenger seat and saw two other women already in the vehicle, also blindfolded.
The group was driven to an unknown location and held captive in a house with a total of six female victims. Their captors, she stated, confiscated all their phones and forced them to call relatives to demand ransom money. In Nankebe Susan’s case, the kidnappers demanded six million Ugandan Shillings.
“She confirmed not being mistreated or beaten although they don’t give them food,” read part of the official police statement released by the North Kyoga Region PRO.
Her opportunity for freedom came on the morning of Monday, September 8th. While the captives were taken outside to bathe, Nankebe seized her chance. Still partially dressed, she fled into the surrounding area and ran for help, continuously asking bystanders for directions to the nearest police station until she safely reached Apac CPS.
Police authorities have confirmed she is currently in their safe custody. “Efforts are underway to transport her back to Nakasongola,” the statement confirmed.
The incident has raised alarm bells among local law enforcement. The North Kyoga Regional Police Spokesperson, SP PJ Okema, highlighted the growing trend of such crimes, stating, “Of late this has become a common method people are using for survival means.”
SP Okema urged the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to authorities promptly to help apprehend the culprits. An investigation into the abduction is ongoing as police work to identify the location of the safe house and rescue the five remaining women.
