Nateete police probe theft of five-month-old baby

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Kampala Metropolitan Police (KMP) on Monday, April 27, 2026, said its territorial police in Nateete are probing the theft of a five-month-old baby allegedly taken by a suspect who was a close friend of the mother.

Racheal Kawala, the KMP police spokesperson, said efforts to trace the baby and bring the suspect to justice are ongoing.

“Police in Nateete are actively investigating a heart-wrenching case of child stealing of a five-month-old infant. The victim is the son of Patience Namulindwa, a 25-year-old resident of Nateete, Lubaga Division, Kampala district. According to reports, on April 23, 2026, at approximately 2:00 pm, while at a salon in Kitaka zone, Busega, Lubaga Division, Kampala, a close friend of the victim’s mother, allegedly asked to take the baby to buy yoghurt, a favour she had done previously,” Kawala said.

She revealed that, unfortunately, the suspect never returned with the child.

“Findings indicate that the mother and the suspect had been friends for the past five months. A formal report of child stealing has been lodged at Nateete Police Division, and law enforcement is leaving no stone unturned in their efforts to locate and rescue the child and apprehend the suspect,” Kawala added.

Kawala urged all parents and guardians to be vigilant.

“Never entrust your child to anyone unless you have complete and unwavering trust in them,” she stated.

While releasing the Annual Crime Report for 2025 in April this year, the Inspector General of Police, Abbas Byakagaba, said a total of 196,405 cases were reported to police compared to 218,715 in 2024, representing a 10.2% reduction.

Out of the reported cases, 115,301 were submitted to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, from which 79,291 were taken to court. A total of 24,899 cases secured convictions, with 31,732 persons convicted and sentenced.

In 2025, police recorded 263 cases of child stealing compared to 252 the previous year (2024).