Byaruhanga Onesmus, alias Kaliisa a man behind the kidnapping of American Tourist, Ms Kimberly Sue Endicott and her guide, Jean Paul Mirenge has today been charged with three counts of Aggravated Robbery and two (2) Counts of Kidnap with intent to procure a ransom , before the Chief Magistrate’s Court in Kanungu District.
According to police, facts indicate that on 2nd April, 2019, the suspect played a supportive role, of surveilling the movement of the tourist, from Bwindi to Queen Elizabeth National Park, and furnished the kidnapping team, their local criminal gang with information that facilitated the kidnapping.
Onesmus, a former convict, who was highly involved in the post – kidnap demands is also accused of planning and carrying out typical kidnappings, aggravated robberies and the murder of a resident in Kanungu Town Council.
“We plan to file additional charges against him and his criminal associates. The task team is also reviewing circumstances under which members of this local kidnapping ring, were granted bail on similar charges of kidnap before court” police spokesperson Fred Enanga says.
Enanga further informed the public that police and its sister security agencies have largely been successful, in their efforts to combat kidnappings in the country and a large part of their success is attributed to effective Anti-kidnap strategies in place,with close co-operation from the community.
“So far, the kidnapping ring in Kanungu district has been dismantled, additional suspects are being processed, and the operation to apprehend the known remaining perpetrators of the criminal kidnapping enterprise still ongoing” Enanga added.
