Kiboga Police Investigate Illegal Abortion, Detain Teenager

Police in Kiboga District are actively investigating an alleged illegal abortion that took place in Kajjere Village, Kibiga Sub-county. A 17-year-old girl is in custody, while a search is underway for three other individuals identified as Jesca Nakibuule, Justine Nalugo, and an unnamed medical worker.

The investigation began after local residents reported suspicious activity to the police. Officers dispatched to the scene discovered a fetus, believed to be of an unborn female child, disposed of in a pit latrine. The pit latrine belongs to Wasswa Ibrahim, a resident of Kajjere Village.

According to SSP Lameck Kigozi, the Wamala Region Police spokesperson, the teenage girl, whose identity is being withheld due to her age, has reportedly confessed to terminating her pregnancy. Preliminary findings suggest she received assistance from her mother, her sister, and a medical professional. Investigators believe abortifacient drugs were administered on June 15, with the abortion reportedly occurring in the early hours of June 16, followed by the disposal of the fetus.

Adding a layer of complexity to the case, residents have raised concerns about potential familial tensions contributing to the incident. Some villagers allege that Ms. Nakibuule (the mother of the detained teenager) had issues with a man named Bakuza Brian, who was reportedly involved with her daughter. These claims suggest that Nakibuule may have expressed strong disapproval of the pregnancy, possibly indicating a motive.

The three suspects on the run reportedly fled the area shortly after the incident, and police are making efforts to locate them. Authorities have emphasized that abortion and infanticide are serious criminal offenses in Uganda, carrying severe penalties under the law. The detained minor remains in police custody as the investigation progresses.