OMORO: Mother arrested over alleged murder of own child

Omoro, (UG): The police in Omoro district have arrested a 21-year-old mother over the death of her own 3-day-old baby.

Apiyo Collin, a 21-year-old resident of Baya village, Lukwo parish, in Omoro district, is suspected of having dumped her 3-day-old child alive in a pit latrine causing the death of the infant.

The incident occurred on September 27th, 2023, at around 5 a.m. in the same village.

According to police brief facts released by Police Spokesman Fred Enanga, “The victim (Apiyo) was threatened during her pregnancy by her brother Opiyo Geoffrey not to produce from their homestead,” the statement reads in parts.

Police reports said that on September 25th, 2023, at around 5 a.m., Apiyo got labor pains but, out of fear, went and delivered the baby from a nearby bush, and she later covered it with fresh grass.

According to police briefs, Apiyo kept checking on the baby and breastfeeding her from the bush until September 27th, 2023, when she found her baby, covered with red ants but still alive.

However, Apiyo upon observing the condition of the child, she later took it and threw it in her uncle’s pit latrine at dawn.

Enanga described the incident as “sad.” It’s a very sad story. The loss of innocent children like this heavily impacts and devastates everyone. As the police, we believe every child should have a chance to live in a safe and healthy setting or home.

He advises that people make use of the Child and Family Protection Unit by making contact with the Probation Officers and shelter homes to ensure support and safety for unwanted children in the community because police are mandated to keep children safe from neglect and abuse.

Meanwhile, the body of the baby has been retrieved, and the mother is under police custody while getting treatment for bleeding.

Enanga said police are making an effort to have Apiyo’s brother arrested and charged with threatening violence.