A mortuary attendant at Kawempe National Referral Hospital in Kampala has been interrogated by Police after a baby who died at the facility was allegedly eaten by a rat.

When the parents went to pick up the body of their baby, they were disturbed by what they saw: a deep cut on the child's head.

The hospital authorities reportedly told them that a rodent was responsible. The couple was not convinced, so they reported the matter to the Police.

Consequently, the hospital's morgue attendant was quizzed, according to the Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson, Patrick Onyango.

What we know so far

According to Police, 20-year-old Ainembabazi (identified by only that name) delivered her baby at Lwanyanga Clinic in Mutundwe, Rubaga division last Thursday (July 20).

Together with the child's father, Suleiman Musoke Wasswa, the couple was referred to Kawempe National Referral Hospital.

“They [couple] allege the mother had a normal delivery of a baby boy of about eight-and-a-half months from Lwanyanga Clinic in Mutundwe, but they were advised and referred to Kawempe National Referral Hospital for the baby to be put under an incubator. This was on July 20,” said Onyango.

Two days later, according to Onyango, the baby was put on oxygen among other children at Kawempe allegedly without the knowledge of or explanation to the mother.

At around 11:30pm on Saturday, the baby was pronounced dead and taken to the hospital mortuary.

The following day (July 23), the relatives claimed the body in preparation for burial.

“They viewed the body, which bore a deep cut on the head. They were told by the hospital authorities that a rat had eaten the baby,” said Onyango.

Unsatisfied with the reason given by the health facility, the couple turned to Police.

“They believe the baby was cut for ritual purposes courtesy of a deep cut on the head," said the Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson.

"As a result, homicide detectives have grilled the mortuary attendant and tasked him with explaining what transpired."

Investigations continue.