MBARARA – Police Flying Squad operatives shot and killed three people suspected of masterminding the kidnap of Pastor Mary Byarisya from Gomba district a week ago.
Police was able to identify only one of the suspects – Andrew Behakanira aka Bashir.
Samson Kasasira – the Rwizi Region Police Spokesperson narrated that the suspects had kidnapped Pastor Barishya from her Canaan Ministries Church in Kaganga on February 6, 2023 – kept moving her around Masaka, Sembabule, Mbarara and Bushenyi districts to evade arrest.
He added that in the process were demanding a Ugx30m ransom to release their victim or else end her life.
Kasasira however, noted that officers from the Police as well as the army’s Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence – CMI swung into action – tracking the suspects – who were intercepted in a Premio Reg. No. UAZ 935N at Rubindi-Ruhumba Town Council in Mbarara on Monday as it headed to Ibanda district.
He said the kidnappers attempted to resist arrest by trying to run over the security officers – and reportedly grabbing their guns – prompting a shootout that left the three dead on the spot.
The officers managed to rescue the Pastor – recovering a phone the suspects were using to communicate with the victim’s relatives for the ransom.
The Pastor – according Kasasira was taken to Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital for a medical examination as bodies of the suspects were transferred to the mortuary of the same facility pending positive identification.
One of the Pastor’s relatives revealed that the woman of God had signs of torture on her body but was responding to treatment.
