Baby dumped by mother in pit latrine rescued

Shock engulfed residents of Rushebeya trading centre in Rwamucucu sub-county, Rukiga district on Wednesday after they discovered a baby dumped in a pit latrine.

According to locals, the baby was left to die in a public latrine by an unidentified woman.

A resident who wanted to use the said latrine heard the child crying and called for help so that the baby could be rescued.

Residents then called Police and the Rukiga woman MP, Caroline Kamusiime, to intervene.

Police swung into action immediately and devised a means to retrieve the baby while it was still alive.

Upon retrieval, he was then rushed to Mparo Health Centre IV for treatment before he was transferred to Rugarama Hospital in Kabale Municipality.

Residents gathered around the latrine where the baby was dumped. Photo by Job Namanya

Kamusiime hailed the Police and locals for tirelessly working together to rescue the baby.

"It was a collective effort to see this boy rescued. In such a trying time all that was needed was a combination of hands which was clearly seen in this incident," Kamusiime said.

Eddie Mugisha, the Rwamucucu sub-county councillor, condemned the act by the act of the unknown woman dumping her own baby.

"It is unfortunate that this lady could opt for such where she was expected to be a responsible mother. Why couldn't she find a better way of dealing with her troubles than dumping an innocent baby?" wondered Mugisha.

Andry Okumu, the Rukiga district Police commander said that the Police has embarked on a search for the baby's mother.