Woman held for dumping baby in pit latrine 

Tugabirwe after arrest. She was forced to breastfeed the baby. Photo by Ismael Kasooha

Police in Kagadi district is holding a woman for allegedly dumping her newly born baby boy in a pit latrine.

The Kagadi district Police commander, Romeo Ojara, identified the suspect as Christine Tugabirwe, 19, a resident of Paacwa sub-county.

Ojara said they received a call in the morning that a baby had been dumped in a latrine and rushed to the scene. They teamed up with residents and recovered the baby alive.

Ojara told New Vision that at first the suspect was not known, but when the news spread around, residents informed Police that a woman suspected of giving birth had been admitted at Kinyarugonjo Health Centre III in Mabaale sub-county but had no baby.

"When we interrogated Tugabirwe, she confessed to carrying out the heinous act," said Ojara.

Sources said Tugabirwe dumped the baby to deceive her new husband only identified as Kyambadde.

Kyambadde said he met Christine at one of the bars in Kagadi town and the two got married, without him realizing she was pregnant already.

He said Tugabirwe on the fateful night told him she was not feeling well and went to the toilet. He said he did not know she had delivered a baby and dumped it there. Her condition did not improve and Kyambadde took her to the health.

"I  rushed her to Kinyarugonjo Health Centre where she was admitted and I was surprised when Police came looking for her for dumping the baby in a pit-latrine," said Kyambadde.

Currently, both the mother and the child are admitted at St. Ambrose Health Center.

Ojara said the Police will charge Tugabirwe with attempted murder