Police in Uganda are on the spotlight — but this time for a good reason — after they rescued a newborn baby who had been dumped in a pit latrine by his 18-year-old mother.
It all started on January 6 at around 6 am in Nansaba East area, central Uganda, when Niwagaba Praise, a breastfeeding mother herself, noticed that her house help, Ainembabazi Moreen, had delayed to return to the house.
This prompted the 39-year-old employer to start looking for Ainembabazi. She later found her in the pit latrine room with bloodstains on herself and the floor. Niwagaba informed the police immediately after hearing a baby crying inside the pit latrine.
According to the Kampala Metropolitan Police Spokesperson Patrick Onyango, a team of police officers and fire brigade personnel dug into the pit latrine to rescue the baby.
“The baby was found alive, cleaned with warm water, and rushed to Kawempe Mulago Referral Hospital along with Ainembabazi, who was still bleeding,” Onyango says.
The police boss says a case of attempted infanticide has been registered at Nansana Police Station, and investigations are ongoing.
The police plan to interview Ainembabazi thoroughly to understand her actions and also intend to interview the baby’s father.
“This disturbing incident is not isolated, as there have been similar cases in Kampala, such as the one in Kasangati town council, Wakiso district, where a 25-year-old mother dumped her newborn baby in a pit latrine,” Onyango adds.
Several Ugandans have praised the Ugandan Police Force for the their prompt response to the incident, which led to the rescuing of the baby.
Daniel Oweishe: “Well done Uganda police on this.”
Maridadi Kamagara: “We thank her employer -praise for being responsible and alerted authorities. Thanks to God that the baby was also found alive and we pray for the mother to heal fast and she needs counseling.”
