Police in Masindi have arrested a woman for allegedly trying to sell off her nephew. Olivia Mbabazi, a resident of Kirasa in Masindi town council was arrested Friday, three days after she mysteriously disappeared with one year-old Juma Umaru.
John-Baptism Bulega, the Masindi police officer in charge of criminal investigations says Mbabazi disappeared with the infant after asking to walk with him around Masindi town.
Out of panic, local councilors and the police swung into action only to learn that Mbabazi was with the infact in Hoima, 57 kilometers away. Bulega says, a day later Mbabazi changed her phone number and immediately moved to with the child to Kampala.
Mbabazi was cornered in Kampala, though she evaded arrest. On the third night, Mbabazi moved to back to her home with the child. As she planned to break through the window, out of excitement of returning home, the child screamed and alerted the parents.
Mbabazi was saved by police from the wrath of angry residents who were determined to finish her off. Christine Atimango, the child's mother says the family is traumatized.
Police is investigating reports that Mbabazi was attempting to sell off the kid, but she abandoned the deal following the hot pursuit. But Mbabazi says she only moving round with the child. A medical report says the child is normal.
The case has meanwhile been handed to the resident state attorney to decide whether or not to charge Mbabazi. This is the first incident of its kind in Masindi amidst alarming reports of theft of children and sacrifice across the county
