Police in Kiboga District have commended catechists from Nkandwa Catholic Parish for their alertness and quick intervention that led to the rescue of a four-month-old baby girl who had been stolen from her parents during a community charity activity on December 20, 2025.
The baby, identified as Kemigisha Anita, was taken during a charity outreach organised by Altezza Charity Group in Kyeyagalire Village, Nkandwa Parish.
The group, of which the baby’s parents are members, had gathered to distribute relief items to vulnerable households when the incident occurred.
According to police accounts, the incident began when a female stranger approached the baby’s mother under the guise of offering help.
The mother reportedly grew uneasy and declined to hand over her child, choosing instead to entrust the baby to a woman she knew, identified as Niragire Delphina, as she continued with the charity work.
However, police say the stranger later approached Delphina and discreetly convinced her to give her the baby, without the knowledge or consent of the child’s mother. Moments later, the woman vanished with the four-month-old infant.
The disappearance immediately triggered panic within the community, prompting residents to abandon their activities and mount an impromptu search.
“Information spread like bushfire. Everyone abandoned what they were doing and joined the hunt,” one resident said, describing the tense moments that followed the discovery that the baby was missing.
The baby’s father, Arineitwe Denis, quickly reported the matter at Nkandwa Police Station, prompting officers to formally register the case and coordinate search efforts within the area.
As the search intensified, catechists from Nkandwa Catholic Parish, led by Brother Lulangwa Andrew, noticed a young woman moving suspiciously with a baby who did not appear to be hers. The catechists stopped her and questioned her about the child.
“We became suspicious when she couldn’t account for the child,” Brother Lulangwa said. “That’s when we decided to detain her and alert the police.”
The woman was escorted to Nkandwa Police Station, where further inquiries were conducted. Police later identified her as Nalubega Catherine, a 19-year-old resident of Kiwala Kyeyagalire Village in Nkandwa Sub-county.
Following verification, police confirmed that the baby in her possession was indeed Kemigisha Anita. The child was reunited with her parents shortly thereafter, with officers confirming that she was found in good health and had not suffered any physical harm.
Regional Police spokesperson SSP Lameck Kigozi praised the catechists and the wider community for their rapid response, describing their actions as exemplary.
“We applaud the catechists and the entire community for acting swiftly and responsibly,” SSP Kigozi said. “Their vigilance played a critical role in saving this baby’s life and ensuring she returned safely to her parents.”
He added that the incident demonstrated the importance of community-police collaboration in preventing crime and protecting vulnerable members of society.
“This case shows that when communities are alert and willing to work with police, crimes can be detected and stopped early,” Kigozi said.
Police say investigations are still ongoing to establish the suspect’s motive and to determine whether she acted alone or may be linked to a wider network involved in child theft.
Meanwhile, police have urged parents and guardians to remain cautious during public gatherings and to avoid entrusting children to strangers, even in seemingly safe community settings.
The incident has sparked renewed calls within Kiboga District for increased awareness about child safety, particularly during social and charitable events that attract large crowds and unfamiliar faces.
