Armed Congolese group abducts Ugandan businessman

KAMPALA, Uganda

A group of armed Congolese men on Thursday night abducted a Ugandan businessman in the western district of Kanungu in Kigezi region, bordering the North Kivu province of Congo.

The Ugandan Kigezi Region Police spokesman Elly Maate said the abducted person has been identified as a Ugandan businessman Eddy Byarugaba.

Maate said that the abducted man was riding on motorcycle with two other colleagues when they were ambushed by the armed Congolese men in Nyamutembi village.

''The two men escaped, but Byarugaba was grabbed by the armed men and they escaped to Congo by crossing the border. We have started hunting for them with the intention of arresting them and rescuing the abducted businessman,” said the police spokesman. He said they have not yet received any demand or communication for a ransom.

''As we talk, we have not gotten communication from those who abducted Byarugaba. We know that they crossed the border with Byarugaba. We have communicated with local leaders along both sides of the border and sought their help to give us any information regarding the armed group,'' said Maate.

A few months ago, an American female tourist was kidnapped almost under similar circumstances by armed Congolese men, who had connived with some Ugandans. They had asked for a ransom. However, the kidnappers were arrested with the help from U.S. security agencies.

Just five days ago, Ugandan President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni during his visit to the region had warned armed Congolese men against kidnapping Ugandans. He said the neighboring countries were working together to eliminate the menace of kidnapping.