Kigozi urged health workers, particularly those working in antenatal and maternity departments, to thoroughly assess patients presenting with pregnancy and labour-related complaints. He questioned how a person could allegedly fake a pregnancy and labour pains and be admitted without the condition being detected.
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Police in Kassanda District have arrested a woman suspected of stealing a newborn baby from Kassanda Health Centre IV, hours after the child was delivered.
The baby boy was recovered in good health from the suspect following a police operation in Kakondwe Village, Kitumbi Sub-county, Kassanda District.
According to Wamala Region Police spokesperson SSP Lameck Kigozi, the incident started on September 24, 2026, when Namulirwa Annet, an expectant mother, arrived at Kassanda Health Centre IV at about 10:00pm, reportedly in labour pains.
She was received by health workers, profiled and admitted for delivery.
At about 4:30am on September 25, Namulirwa gave birth to a healthy baby boy, bringing joy to her and her husband, Ssekanwagi Robert.
However, the joy was reportedly short-lived after another woman, who police allege had faked a pregnancy and labour pains, allegedly stole the baby.
Kigozi said the suspect had been admitted at the health centre and was reportedly closely monitoring Namulirwa and her newborn.
At about 6:00am, Namulirwa and her baby were transferred to the postnatal ward, where the mother later fell asleep.
Police said the suspect took advantage of the absence of the baby’s caretaker and allegedly left the ward with the newborn.
The disappearance caused panic at the health centre, prompting staff and relatives to search the facility.
A child-stealing case was reported at Kassanda Police Station at about 7:30am, after which detectives visited the health centre and documented the ward as a scene of crime.
Police recorded statements from witnesses, interviewed health centre administrators and staff, and reviewed information provided by the facility’s security guard.
According to Kigozi, the askari told investigators that he had seen a woman leaving the health centre carrying a baby and some luggage.
Further inquiries led police to identify the suspect as Nanyonga Racheal, a resident of Kakondwe Village, Kitumbi Sub-county.
Police mounted a follow-up operation in the area, resulting in Nanyonga’s arrest and recovery of the baby in good health.
During interrogation, police said, Nanyonga confessed to stealing the baby, allegedly explaining that she had for a long time deceived her boyfriend that she was pregnant.
The suspect is being held in police custody as her file is prepared for submission to the Resident State Attorney in Kassanda for sanctioning of charges of child stealing.
Kigozi urged health workers, particularly those working in antenatal and maternity departments, to thoroughly assess patients presenting with pregnancy and labour-related complaints.
He questioned how a person could allegedly fake a pregnancy and labour pains and be admitted without the condition being detected.
Police said investigations into the circumstances surrounding the incident are continuing.
