A three-week-old baby has been recovered and reunited with her mother after a woman allegedly stole the child from a home where she had been offered temporary shelter in Namutumba District. Police in Busoga East have arrested Janet Musenero, a resident of Kisiro Village in Bugobi Sub-county, in connection with the alleged theft of the baby, identified as Sherina Namulwa.
Police spokesperson Michael Kasadha said the baby was recovered from Musenero’s home and is in good health. The incident reportedly began on August 20, when Musenero allegedly presented herself as a stranded traveller in the area and sought help from residents.
Susan Mirembe, the baby’s mother, says Musenero appeared distressed and told her that 15,000 shillings meant for her transport had been stolen, leaving her unable to travel home. Mirembe says she sympathised with Musenero and agreed to accommodate her for one night while she waited for relatives to send her money for transport.
However, when Mirembe woke up in the early hours of August 21, she says she discovered that both Musenero and her three-week-old baby were missing. Mirembe sought help from residents, who joined her in searching for the child. She later reported the disappearance at Namutumba Central Police Station, prompting police to intensify the search.
Mirembe suspects that Musenero may have worked with a boda boda rider to leave the area with the baby during the night, although police have not confirmed the allegation. The breakthrough came after one of Musenero’s neighbours reportedly heard a baby crying from her home.
The neighbour became suspicious because Musenero had not been pregnant in recent months and alerted police. Police detectives then searched Musenero’s home and found the baby.
According to police, Musenero initially claimed that she was the child’s biological mother before giving another explanation that the baby belonged to a friend who was receiving postnatal treatment after suffering complications during childbirth. Police arrested Musenero and detained her at Namutumba Central Police Station.
Kasadha said police investigations indicate that Musenero was responsible for taking the baby and that she will be charged with child theft. He said the baby has been medically examined and is in good condition.
Musenero has reportedly asked for forgiveness, saying she did not intend to harm the child and that she took the baby after facing persistent pressure from her longtime boyfriend to have children. That account has not been independently established by police.
Kasadha has urged parents and guardians to remain vigilant and carefully monitor access to their children, warning that some people may have malicious intentions. He also encouraged members of the public to report suspicious behavior around children to police and local authorities. The baby has since been reunited with her biological mother-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
