By Alfred Opio
Police in Budaka District have launched investigations into an alleged case of child stealing after a three-month-old baby boy was recovered from a woman in Nansanga Sub-county.
The case was registered at Uganda Police Force – Budaka Police Station under reference CRB 088/2026, following a complaint by Helix Tanywa, the LC1 chairperson of Nansanga “B” Village.
According to preliminary police reports, on February 19, 2026, residents alerted local leaders about a woman suspected of being in possession of a stolen child. Police officers were led to the suspect’s residence, where they found her with the infant, identified as Muhamad Kirabira Achil, believed to be about three months old.
The suspect, identified as Resty Nangobi—allegedly using the real name Jalia Nagudi—was arrested and taken into custody as investigations commenced.
Detectives later established that the woman is reportedly a concubine of a resident in the area and is suspected to have picked up the child from Buloba Central Village in Wakisi Sub-county, Buikwe District, from the home of the child’s grandmother.
Police allege that she presented the baby to a man as his biological child in an attempt to gain financial and emotional support. Investigations further indicated that the suspect is neither the mother nor related to the infant and had allegedly renamed the child after taking him.
During a search of the premises, officers recovered exhibits including a suspected fake immunization card and an exercise book believed to have been used to support the false identity of the child.
Statements have since been recorded from key witnesses, while the infant was photographed and temporarily placed under the care of a Good Samaritan as authorities work to trace the biological parents and immediate relatives.
Medical examination forms showed the suspect to be of sound mind, while the child also underwent medical assessment.
Police have outlined several pending actions, including conducting a DNA test to establish the child’s true parentage, recording statements from the biological family, and forwarding the case file to the Resident State Attorney for legal guidance and possible charges, including aggravated trafficking in children.
The suspect is expected to appear in court upon completion of investigations.
Preliminary findings also suggest that the child’s biological mother may have neglected the infant while preparing to travel abroad for work, a circumstance police believe may have exposed the child to exploitation.
Bukedi North Regional Police spokesperson Wilfred Kyempasa confirmed the incident and assured the public that investigations are ongoing.
“We are handling the matter carefully to ensure the child’s safety and that justice is served,” he said, urging communities to remain vigilant and report suspected cases of child trafficking or abuse to authorities.
