HABARI DAILY I Kampala, Uganda I The Uganda Police Force has arrested Edrine Bwire, the prime suspect in the alleged kidnapping and murder of three-year-old Evelyn Nabwire, after a seven-day manhunt that relied heavily on mobile-phone tracking and intelligence-led operations across Busia and Namayingo districts.
Bwire was arrested in the early hours of October 1, 2026, at his grandmother’s home in Namahara Village, Namayingo District, after detectives and Flying Squad operatives tracked his movements from the time Evelyn’s body was discovered. Police say he had been moving between hiding places and repeatedly switching his phone on and off in an attempt to frustrate efforts to locate him.
The arrest ended an intensive search that began after Evelyn disappeared from Bubolwa Village, Bulumbi Sub-county, Busia District, on September 24.
Police follow phone signals
Investigators turned to digital intelligence after Bwire allegedly contacted Evelyn’s father, David Ouma, demanding money for the child’s release.
Earlier reports indicated that the suspect initially demanded Shs2 million before the amount reportedly rose to Shs7 million. Police and the family then began efforts to trace the telephone number being used to communicate with the father.
However, Bwire repeatedly switched off his mobile phone, making it difficult for investigators to maintain a continuous signal.
Despite the tactic, detectives were able to map intermittent signals from his phone. The tracking reportedly placed him around Busitema Forest before the signal later shifted towards Buyanga Sub-county.
The operation involved detectives and Flying Squad personnel, who continued analysing the coordinates as the suspect moved away from the original crime scene.
The phone-tracking effort became particularly important because Bwire had already fled his home after residents and police began looking for him.
Body discovery intensified search
Evelyn’s body was discovered in the early hours of September 26 along the Busia-Bugiri highway, only metres from her home.
Police suspected that the body may have been dumped on the road to make the death appear like a traffic accident. Investigators documented the scene and sent the body to Masafu Government Hospital for a postmortem examination.
The investigation also involved specialised police teams. The Busia Central Police Station team included the District Police Commander, Criminal Investigations Directorate officers, homicide detectives, Scene of Crime Officers and canine handlers.
The police dog reportedly followed a scent for about half a kilometre from the scene to the home of Muhwana Lawrence, who was subsequently arrested to assist with investigations.
Meanwhile, Bwire remained on the run, forcing investigators to widen the search beyond Busia.
Coordinates expose hideout
The breakthrough came when investigators traced Bwire’s phone coordinates to Namayingo District.
By October 1, the intelligence gathered from the phone placed him in Namahara Village, where officers located him hiding at his grandmother’s home.
Police reports indicate that Bwire had walked from the Busitema area before reaching the hideout. By the time officers found him, he was reportedly weakened.
During the operation, police recovered a sharp panga, a knife and Bwire’s personal bag.
His arrest marked the culmination of seven days of tracking, physical searches and intelligence gathering after the child’s disappearance.
Suspect moved to Busia
Following his arrest, Bwire was taken from Namayingo to Busia Central Police Station for interrogation.
According to police, he confessed to the crime during questioning. Investigators recorded his charge-and-caution statement and subjected him to a medical examination using Police Form 24.
Police have nevertheless continued investigations into the circumstances surrounding Evelyn’s death and the involvement, if any, of other people.
The case began with a missing-child report and rapidly developed into a murder investigation after Evelyn’s body was found.
Police have urged the public to remain calm while detectives complete their work and prepare the case for court. Bukedi South Police spokesperson IP Moses Johnson Mugwe also appealed to parents and guardians to closely monitor young children and identify potential dangers early.
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