Police rescue abandoned newborn baby in Arua
Authorities have urged communities to remain vigilant and report cases of child neglect and abandonment to help protect vulnerable children and ensure those responsible are held accountable.
Arua: Police in Arua City have rescued a two-day-old baby boy who was abandoned near River Enyau in Arua City Central Division.
The infant was discovered on Wednesday evening at around 6:20 p.m. under eucalyptus trees behind Nile High School in Arua City Central Business Division.
According to West Nile Regional Police Spokesperson, SSP Josephine Angucia, police responded swiftly after receiving information from the Local Council One Chairperson of Ediofe Trading Centre, identified as Mr. Baiga.
“Police received information from the LC1 Chairman of Ediofe Trading Centre and immediately responded to the scene together with officers from the Child and Family Protection Unit. They rescued the baby and rushed him to Arua Regional Referral Hospital for treatment and further management,” Angucia said.
At the hospital, medical personnel confirmed that the infant was approximately two days old. The baby, who was later named Job, is reported to be in stable condition and receiving care.
“The baby is alive, healthy and receiving treatment,” Angucia added.
Police have launched investigations to trace the mother of the child and establish the circumstances that led to the abandonment.
The case has been registered under Arua City CBD SD Reference 70/17/06/2026.
Angucia appealed to members of the public to assist in identifying the child’s mother.
“We appeal to the general public to spread the information widely and conduct neighborhood checks so that the mother of the baby can be identified,” she said.
She also warned parents and guardians against abandoning or neglecting children, noting that such actions constitute criminal offences under Ugandan law.
“We urge community members and parents to lead more responsible lives and avoid abandoning, deserting and neglecting their children. These are criminal acts for which parents or guardians can be arrested and prosecuted accordingly,” Angucia emphasized.
The incident comes amid ongoing concerns over child-related offences in Uganda. According to the Uganda Police Force Annual Crime Report 2025, a total of 8,064 child-related offences were reported across the country in 2025, representing a 14.3 percent decline from the 9,408 cases recorded in 2024.
The offences included child neglect, child desertion, missing children cases, child abuse and torture, as well as infanticide and other abandonment-related crimes. Police statistics show that 1,205 cases of child desertion were reported in 2025 alone.
Authorities have urged communities to remain vigilant and report cases of child neglect and abandonment to help protect vulnerable children and ensure those responsible are held accountable.
Do you have an advertisement or article you want to publish? Mail us at theugreports@gmail.com or WhatsApp +256757022363.
