Police in Adjumani District have launched investigations into the suspected abduction of a one-year-old girl who was allegedly taken by an unidentified woman after deceiving the child's mother while she was selling roasted maize in Adjumani Town Council.
The incident occurred at about 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, 8 July 2026, along the highway near the Red Cross office and the main gate of Leisure Park.
According to police, the child's mother, Bako Kasifa, 28, a resident of Russia West Village in Marindi Parish, Pachara Sub-county, was selling roasted maize with her one-year-old daughter, Desire Nancy, by her side when a woman approached and asked to buy roasted maize worth Shs500.
Police said the woman, who spoke the Ma'di language, ate the maize at the scene before claiming she only had a Shs10,000 note, which she said she had obtained after withdrawing money from a nearby mobile money agent. She allegedly handed the note to Kasifa and asked her to get change from the mobile money shop.
When the mother returned a few moments later, both the woman and her daughter had disappeared.
Residents joined the distraught mother in searching for the child, but their efforts were unsuccessful. Police said the mobile money agent provided two telephone numbers believed to have been used by the suspect, but attempts to reach them were unsuccessful.
The suspect is described as a woman who is familiar by appearance to some members of the community, although her identity has not yet been established.
The case was registered as child stealing under SD Reference 54/08/07/2026, and detectives have since recorded statements from the complainant and commenced investigations.
The North West Nile Regional Police Public Relations Officer, SP Collins Asea, confirmed the incident and appealed to the public to provide any information that could help trace the missing child and identify the suspect.
"We have registered a case of child stealing, and our officers have commenced investigations to establish the identity of the suspect and recover the child safely. We appeal to anyone with information that can assist the investigations to report to the nearest police station immediately," SP Asea said.
He also urged parents and guardians to remain vigilant while conducting business in public places.
"Parents should avoid leaving children unattended or in the care of strangers, even for a short time. Criminals often exploit brief moments of distraction to commit such offences. Community vigilance is essential in protecting our children," he added.
Police said investigations are ongoing as efforts continue to locate the missing child and bring the suspect to justice.
