Police in Kassanda District have launched investigations into a disturbing case of child abduction after an unidentified woman allegedly disguised herself as a medical officer and fled with a three-day-old baby from Kiganda Health Centre IV.
The incident, which has sent shockwaves through the community, occurred on March 15, 2026, in the postnatal ward of the government health facility.
According to preliminary police reports, the infant is the daughter of Muhindo Joachim and Nalubowa Ruth, residents of Katosi Cell in Kiganda Town Council. The couple had taken their newborn to the health centre on March 12, 2026, after the baby developed complications shortly after birth.
Lameck Kigozi, the Wamala Regional Police Spokes person says medical personnel admitted the child to the Intensive Care Unit, where she reportedly responded well to treatment over the following days. On March 14, 2026, she was transferred to the postnatal ward and was awaiting discharge, as her condition had significantly improved.
However, tragedy struck the following day when an unidentified woman entered the ward posing as a medical officer. Witnesses say the suspect conducted herself with confidence, moving from bed to bed, checking on patients and reviewing treatment notes, which gave the impression that she was part of the hospital staff.
Kigozi says when she reached the baby’s bed, the suspect reportedly picked up the infant and examined her notes before informing the mother that the baby’s condition had suddenly deteriorated and required urgent medication that had not yet been administered.
In a calculated move, the woman handed the unsuspecting mother Shs10,000 and instructed her to rush to a nearby pharmacy to purchase the prescribed drugs.
Trusting the instructions, the mother left the ward briefly. Upon her return, she found both the woman and her baby missing.
The matter was immediately reported to Kiganda Police Station, triggering a search operation and investigations into how the suspect gained access to the ward and escaped undetected.
Kigozi appealed to members of the public to remain vigilant.
“We call upon anyone in Kiganda Town Council, Kassanda District, and the entire Wamala Region who may come across a woman with a newborn baby, yet she was not known to be pregnant, to immediately inform the nearest police station,” he said.
Police are now reviewing security measures at the health facility and following leads that could result in the arrest of the suspect and the safe recovery of the child.