Police in Kamuli District have arrested a woman in connection with the theft of a two-year-old child, bringing to a close weeks of investigations into a case that had alarmed residents of Kamuli Municipality.
The suspect, identified as Sight Akankunda, was arrested on June 4, 2026, from Kikajjo and is currently being held at Kamuli Central Police Station.
She is expected to face prosecution after police completed investigations into the matter.
The case was initially reported on May 20, 2026, by George Bagalawa, a 32-year-old mechanic and resident of Buwengempya Cell in Kamuli Municipality.
Bagalawa informed police that his two-year-old son had been taken by a woman believed to be his neighbor, whom he only knew by appearance.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect had rented a house in the area for approximately two months but only stayed for four days before allegedly fleeing with the child on May 19, 2026.
Authorities further established that she vacated the premises with all her belongings, raising suspicion among residents.
Police also discovered that the suspect had registered with her landlord under a false identity, introducing herself as Nantume Charity in an apparent attempt to conceal her true identity.
Through coordinated efforts and the use of investigative techniques, police tracked the suspect through her relatives, several of whom were arrested to aid the investigation.
As pressure mounted, the stolen child was found abandoned about 300 metres from his home on May 21, 2026, at around 11pm.
Residents who heard the child crying rescued him and safely returned him to his family.
Further investigations led to the positive identification of the suspect as Sight Akankunda, culminating in her arrest in Kikajjo.
Busoga North Police Spokesperson SSP Samson Lubega confirmed the arrest, saying the case file has been completed and will be submitted to the Resident State Attorney in Kamuli for legal review and sanctioning before court proceedings commence.
Authorities commended members of the public for their cooperation during the investigation and reiterated their commitment to safeguarding children and ensuring that all offenders are brought to justice.