Police have successfully recovered a child who went missing for nearly five years.
Nimurangi Bethany, aged 9 at the time of her disappearance, was picked up from Asili Memorial Nursery and Primary School back in April 2018, and hidden away from her father, Ruzindantaro Tadeo, by her biological mother, Kilande Mercy.
The heartbreaking saga began when Kilande separated from Tadeo, and moved to South Africa for greener pastures, only to return later to steal Nimurangi from the custody of her father.
Fred Enanga, the police spokesperson, says Kilande visited her daughter’s school in the absence of the father and ran away with her. Enanga says the child was taken to Manyangwa village, Gayaza-Wakiso district to live with a distant relative identified as Rukundo Phionah while her mother returned to South Africa to work.
“Without the father’s knowledge or consent. The young girl was left in the care of a relative at an undisclosed location, completely cut off from her father’s life.” said Enanga
He explains that the directorate of CID has since been hunting for the child until September 22, 2023, when she was discovered. Enanga says the child is currently under the care of a shelter home under counseling until such a time when authorities can establish who she will stay with
“Neither parent had a custody order or any formal parenting arrangement in place following their separation.” says Enanga
Police have also recorded a statement from the caretaker, Rukundo Phionah, shedding light on the circumstances surrounding Nimurangi’s disappearance and concealment.
According to Enanga, efforts are now underway to record statements from both parents. The case file is set to be forwarded to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for legal guidance.