One-month-old baby taken for a fellowship in Lira City stolen – Police

Police at Lira City Central Division are investigating a case of child theft that occurred on Saturday, October 11, 2025.

The incident took place at Lira Mayor’s Garden, but was reported to the police the following day by the child’s mother.

North Kyoga Regional Police PRO, SP Jimmy Patrick Okema, said the baby’s mother Atim Gloria, 32, is a resident of Starch Factory Cell, Lira City East Division. She was at a fellowship at the Mayor’s Garden.

At around 2:00 pm, an unidentified woman convinced Atim to let her carry the one-month-old baby, Opio Job, so that Atim could go and praise God freely.

“When Atim returned, the woman and the child were gone,” SP Okema said in a statement.

Okema added that Atim immediately began searching for her child and alerted the event organisers. Public announcements were made over the sound system in an attempt to locate the baby, but these efforts were unsuccessful.

The case was formally reported at the police station on Sunday, October 12.

Police confirmed that a case file for child stealing has been opened. Officers have visited the crime scene and recorded statements from witnesses who can confirm the mother was at the event with her infant.

As part of the investigation, announcements will be made on local radio stations to appeal for public assistance, police said.

Efforts to trace the suspect are ongoing. The police are urging anyone with information on the whereabouts of the unidentified woman or the child to come forward immediately to aid in her arrest and prosecution.

“This incident highlights a recurring pattern of child theft in the region, where women are sometimes targeted by criminals posing as helpers or fellow community members,” SP Okema noted.