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Two remanded over kidnap of Indian nationals
Kampala Metropolitan spokesperson Luke Owoyesigire. FILE PHOTO
Kampala- Buganda Road Chief Magistrate’s Court has remanded two businessmen accused of trafficking of three Indians to Uganda for the purpose of procuring ransom.
Mr Praful Butani, 22, an Indian national, and Mr Ignatius Mugumya appeared before Chief Magistrate Miriam Okello, who read to them six counting ranging from kidnap to trafficking in persons.
However, they could not take plea since their changes are capital in nature and only heard by the High Court.
The victims were Patel Atul, Akshay Prajapati and Patel Sahil.
Court remanded the suspects until February 17 for mention of the case.
According to Kampala Metropolitan police spokesperson Luke Owoyesigyire, the victims were rescued by police.
He explains that the kidnapped Indians had been lured to Uganda on pretext that they would be connected to Canada for jobs.
“The victims arrived in Uganda at Entebbe International Airport on January 15,” Mr Owoyesigyire said.
A few days after their arrival in Uganda, police received a kidnap complaint from the victims’ relatives in India. They claimed the kidnappers were demanding $50,000 (about Shs183m) as ransom.
Mr Owoyesigyire said police officers found out that victims were booked at Jolly Court Hotel in Kansanga, a Kampala suburb, and they stayed there until January 21.
He said the suspects later lured the victims to Allianz Hotel in Bweyogerere in Wakiso District and that is where police arrested the former.
Mr Owoyesigyire said it was at Allianz Hotel that the suspected kidnappers were calling the victims’ relatives back in India demanding ransom.
He added that investigations are ongoing to establish whether the suspects have a gang or worked independently.
Contention
Prosecution contends that Butani, Mugumya and others still at large on January 21 between Kampala and Entebbe kidnapped Atul, Prajapati and Sahil with intent to secure ransom.
On the count of trafficking in persons, it is alleged that the two suspects and others still at large on January 16 recruited from Gujarat-India, transported and transferred their three victims to Uganda by means of fraud and deception for the purpose of exploitation.
