Police in Busoga East have arrested five suspects in connection with the kidnap and murder of six-year-old Loy Taaka, a resident of Buwembula Village, Muterere Sub-county in Bugiri District. The suspects include Allan Waiswa, Geoffrey Baliraine, Umar Osogoli, Isaac Mulondo, and a woman only identified as Phiona.
Taaka reportedly went missing on Saturday, November 1, 2025, prompting her caretaker, Moses Okello, to file a complaint with the police. Investigators immediately launched a manhunt that led to the arrest of Waiswa, the prime suspect, following a GPS tracking operation that traced him to his home in the same village.
On Wednesday, the Busoga East Regional Police Commander, Edirisa Kyeyune, led a team of detectives and the suspect to the scene for crime reconstruction. During the exercise, Waiswa—who is also Okello’s nephew—confessed to orchestrating the abduction with his friends, claiming he targeted Taaka in the belief that his uncle, described as a wealthy and compassionate man, would pay a ransom of Shs 50 million for the child’s release.
Waiswa revealed that the group used multiple phones to contact Okello with threats demanding payment. He further confessed that when police investigations began pointing to the kidnappers being within the village, he panicked and decided to kill the child to cover up his crime. Waiswa reportedly buried Taaka’s body behind his house, hoping to conceal evidence and continue living among his relatives unnoticed. Busoga East Police Spokesperson, Michael Kasadha, confirmed that police have since exhumed Taaka’s decomposing remains, which were identified by Okello. The remains have been taken to Bugiri Hospital Mortuary for postmortem and later handover to the family for burial.
Kasadha added that exhibits of evidential value were recovered from the scene and will support ongoing investigations. He also said the suspects underwent mental health assessments, which confirmed they were of sound mind, and are currently detained at Bugiri Central Police Station awaiting further interrogation.
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