A 17-year-old mother is in police custody in Nansana after her two-week-old baby was allegedly thrown into a pit latrine.
Police spokesperson Kituuma Rusoke said the teenager is accused of dumping the newborn into a pit latrine belonging to her landlady in Kato’okepi, Nansana Municipality, on August 27.
The teenager had reportedly been staying in a friend’s room when the shocking incident happened.
The matter only came to light two days later after concerned community members started asking about the baby.
They had heard that the teenager had recently given birth and became suspicious when they could not see the newborn.
Police were called in, and the teenager was questioned about the baby’s whereabouts. According to Police, she reportedly told investigators that she had become overwhelmed by the baby’s health condition.
Police have since taken up the case as investigations continue into what happened to the newborn. Rusoke said the teenager had previously been working in a bar in Nansana.
Police have not yet released further details about the baby’s condition or the circumstances surrounding the alleged death as investigations continue.
Rusoke used the incident to send a wider message to people struggling with emotional distress, urging them not to keep their problems to themselves.
He encouraged anyone feeling overwhelmed to talk to a trusted relative, friend, religious leader, counsellor or health professional.
“Please don’t suffer in silence,” Rusoke said.
Police say more details will be released as investigations progress.
