By Mike Rwothomio

In a coordinated operation, Zombo District Police apprehended a 16-year-old female and her mother, both residents of Konga Village, Athuma Sub-county, for the abandonment of a four-month-old male infant in a corridor at Zombo Town Council’s main market.

The case, registered under CRB Zombo 21/2025, underscores the district’s persistent issue of child desertion.

The infant was discovered abandoned in the market corridor On April 5, 2025, at approximately 8:00 PM.

According to investigative findings, the juvenile mother and her accomplice, the infant’s grandmother, fled the scene post-abandonment, citing neglect by the child’s father, a Congolese national who allegedly absconded.

Zombo’s District Police Commander, SP Denis Kamugisha, confirmed the incident.

The suspects were detained briefly but released following intervention by the LCV Chairperson and District Probation Officer.

Zombo District Police Commander SP Denis Kamugisha, hands over the baby to the mother

Charges under Section 144 of Penal Code 128 were dropped after the suspects admitted culpability.

The infant was reunited with his mother, with Kamugisha issuing a formal admonition: “Child desertion cases are prevalent. This will not be tolerated. Parents facing challenges must contact local leaders, police, or relevant authorities.”

He urged collaboration among local, religious, and community leaders to address the escalating issue of child neglect.

The juvenile mother, interviewed at Paidha Central Police Station, implicated her husband, Francis Okethwengu of Konga Village, alleging verbal abuse and incitement to abandon the child.

She further accused her husband’s father, Albert Ubedirwoth, of exacerbating familial discord.

A local vendor, Consulate Madhawun of Cana Cell, Zombo Town Council, assumed temporary custody of the infant for three weeks.

Madhawun reported to authorities on April 23, 2025, that she managed the infant’s medical needs, including treatment at Holy Family Hospital Nyapea, with financial assistance from Zombo Town Parish Catholic Church clergy.

She is seeking reimbursement of UGX 150,000 for expenses incurred, advanced by a local shopkeeper.

Sam Okello, Zombo’s Senior Probation and Welfare Officer, commended Madhawun’s intervention and the police’s role in reunifying the infant.

Okello reported that the district’s probation department handles 3-5 child desertion cases weekly, a trend consistent from January to April 2025.

The reunification, supervised by Kamugisha, Okello, and the head of Paidha’s Family Protection Unit on April 23, 2025, highlighted systemic challenges, including early marriage, teenage pregnancy, and inadequate parental responsibility.

Prior Incidents in Zombo

Zombo has a documented history of child abandonment:

In 2021, a teenage mother abandoned a one-month-old in Mawa Cell, Paidha Town Council.

In 2023, another juvenile deserted an infant at a garage in Anyong, Paidha, citing paternal neglect.

In April 2024, a 14-year-old mother abandoned a one-day-old female in a bush in Uguta Village, Mundel Parish, Nyapea Sub-county.

In 2024, multiple reports emerged of newborns found deceased in pit latrines in Mawa, Zingili, and Mundhel Parish.

Stakeholders attribute these incidents to domestic conflicts, parental irresponsibility, cultural stigmas, and gender-based violence.

Since 2022, the Alur Kingdom has intensified efforts to curb teenage pregnancy and early marriage, following over 10,000 reported cases during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The 2024 Police Annual Crime Report indicates a 17% national decline in child desertion cases (1,597 in 2024 vs. 1,918 in 2023).

However, Zombo’s caseload remains elevated.

Stakeholders advocate a multi-faceted strategy to mitigate child desertion that amongst others include Community Sensitization, Raise awareness on parental responsibilities and child welfare, Support for Juvenile Mothers: Provide counseling, education, and resources, Strengthened Family Protection Units, Addressing Teenage Pregnancy: Promote education and reproductive health initiatives.

With sustained commitment from authorities and community stakeholders, these measures aim to address the root causes of child desertion and ensure child safety in Zombo and beyond.

Mike Rwothomio is news editor at Zoomer Africa