Police have credited digital intelligence and social media monitoring for the successful rescue of a six-year-old boy allegedly abducted from Kawempe Division in Kampala last week.
The victim identified as Abraham Mpirwe Tumwesigye was recovered on 19th December, 2025, at around 9:30 a.m. in Busukuma, Nansana Municipality, Wakiso District, following a week-long intelligence-led operation.
According to authorities, the child was reportedly abducted on December 12th, 2025, by David Muchunguzi, who worked as a shamba boy for the child’s father, Dr. Tumwesigye Emmanuel.
SP Racheal Kawala, the Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson, explained that preliminary investigations revealed that on 12th December at approximately 4:00 p.m., the suspect left Ddungu Zone, Kawempe Division, with the child for an unknown destination and never returned.
The disappearance was promptly reported at the Universal Police Post, triggering coordinated search operations.
Police investigators later made use of digital intelligence, analyzing videos posted by the suspect on TikTok, which proved crucial in tracing his movements.
“Our intelligence teams reviewed social media content linked to the suspect, and this significantly narrowed down his location,” SP Kawala stated.
“That digital trail directly guided officers to Busukuma, where the child was safely recovered,” she added.
Authorities confirmed that the boy is in stable condition and has been taken for a routine medical examination before being reunited with his family.
SP Kawala highlighted that the case shows the growing role of technology in crime detection.
“Criminals increasingly leave digital footprints, and we are strengthening our capacity to track and analyze online activity to protect the public, especially children,” she said.
Police added that efforts to apprehend the suspect are ongoing, and further updates will be communicated as investigations progress.
The incident has sparked renewed public debate on child safety, emphasizing the need for careful monitoring of domestic workers and responsible use of social media platforms, which authorities say can be both a tool for crime and a powerful instrument for justice.
