Katakwi Central Police Station is investigating a case of rash and neglect that resulted in the death of a six-month-old baby boy in Katakwi District. The case was registered under CRB 60/2026 at Katakwi Police Station following an incident reported on Monday, February 2, 2026.
Assistant Commissioner of Police, Haji Ibrahim Saiga, the East Kyoga Regional Police Commander, confirmed that investigations had commenced into the circumstances surrounding the child’s death. According to police, the baby’s mother, identified as Esther Kodat, a Karamojong teenage mother aged between 19 and 20 years and a resident of Ocorimongin Town Board, is suspected of having abandoned the child before fleeing the area.
Kodat reportedly works as a helper at Vicky Tukei Restaurant in Ocorimongin. Saiga says that on the morning of February 2, 2026, police received information that the suspect had left her baby boy in a latrine at an unknown time and later boarded a bus to Kampala.He explains that concerned residents were alerted after hearing the baby crying and followed the sound, leading to the discovery. The matter was immediately reported to the Local Council One Chairperson, who later informed the police. Saiga says police officers, together with community members, rushed to the scene and attempted to rescue the child, but he was already dead.
He adds that the suspect is still at large and that police are actively searching for her. Saiga notes that once arrested, the suspect will be arraigned in court and charged with rash and neglect. The Regional Police Commander has appealed to members of the public to assist police by providing any information that could lead to the arrest of the suspect.
Police further emphasized the enforcement of Section 227 of the Penal Code Act, which provides for the punishment of rash and negligent acts that result in harm or death, with penalties of up to seven years’ imprisonment.
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