Pallisa Teen Arrested as Infant Son Vanishes, Later Found Deceased

Authorities in Pallisa have arrested an 18-year-old woman, identified as Mercy Kokoi of Okuderia Cell, Pallisa Town Council, in connection with the disappearance of her infant son. The case is being investigated under file CRB 277/2026 at Pallisa Police Station, with suspicions leaning towards infanticide.

Mercy Kokoi reportedly became pregnant in October 2025 but did not disclose the father’s identity to her family. She gave birth to a baby boy on May 17, 2026, and was living with her mother, Josephine Ariao.

The situation came to light on June 19 when Josephine Ariao returned home around 9 pm to find her daughter alone, with no sign of the baby. When questioned, Kokoi initially told her mother that she had handed the child over to his father. However, as no one in the family knew who the father was, this explanation raised immediate suspicion, prompting Ariao to report the matter to the police.

Initially, Kokoi maintained her story about giving the baby to the father. However, her account shifted on June 22. According to Bukedi North Police spokesperson ASP Wilfred Kyempasa, Kokoi later informed investigators that she found the infant dead at home on June 19. Instead of reporting the death or raising an alarm, she allegedly disposed of the baby’s body in a latrine at Agule Central Primary School.

Scene of Crime officers have visited the school and documented the latrine. Police have recorded statements from Ariao and other witnesses. A search operation is currently underway to recover the infant’s body, and investigations into the circumstances surrounding the child’s death and disappearance continue.

Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/pallisa-teen-arrested-over-missing-one-month-old-baby-5509618