Augustine Ssekajugo , a 22-year-old student of Dental Surgery at Makerere University, has been charged with orchestrating his own kidnapping. The Directorate of Crime Intelligence, in collaboration with Iganga Police, successfully located and rescued Ssekajugo from his hideout in Butama village, Nakalama parish, Iganga district, on May 19, 2023.
“It was established that he staged the kidnap, after he spent his tuition fees, in sports betting scheme. He decided to disappear from his relatives, and rented a room in Butama village, where he was going to start coaching lessons,” Police statement read in part.
Ssekajugo, the university student who was reported missing and believed to have been kidnapped, has been charged with faking his own abduction. After an extensive search operation, the authorities concluded that the student had fabricated the entire story, causing unnecessary distress to those who devoted their time and resources to find him.
Further scrutiny into the student’s financial activities exposed his participation in a sports betting scheme. It appeared that he had irresponsibly squandered his tuition fees, leading to his desperate act of faking his own abduction as a means to avoid facing the consequences of his actions.
The investigation revealed that Augustine intentionally disappeared from his hostel room on May 2, 2023, leaving his phones behind to sever all contact with his family. It was discovered that he had squandered his tuition fees on a sports betting scheme and decided to stage his own kidnapping to avoid facing the consequences. He rented a room in Butama village.
After 17 days, law enforcement successfully tracked down Augustine and placed him under arrest. He was subsequently transferred to Wandegeya police station on May 21, 2023, in preparation for further legal proceedings.
However, the police have pressed charges against the student for his deceptive behavior, and he is now expected to face legal repercussions for his actions. Faking one’s own kidnapping is a serious offense, and the student’s case serves as a reminder of the potential consequences individuals may face when resorting to such desperate measures.
Authorities are urging individuals facing financial difficulties or gambling-related issues to seek assistance from appropriate resources, such as financial advisors, counselors, or helplines, which can provide guidance and support to prevent such extreme measures from being taken in the future.
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