Police Investigate Alleged Infanticide in Oyam District After Body Discovered in Courtyard

Police Investigate Alleged Infanticide in Oyam District After Body Discovered in Courtyard.

By Okidi Patrick

OYAM, UGANDA – 28 December 2025: The Territorial Police in the North Kyoga Region have opened a criminal investigation into a suspected infanticide that allegedly took place in Akuridia Village, Juma Parish, Kamdini Sub‑County, Oyam District, on 26 December 2025.According to SP Patrick Jimmy Okema, the North Kyoga Police spokesperson, on
26 Dec, 1100 hrs Ayo Molly, 37, is reported to have given birth to a baby boy in her rented grass‑thatched house in Akuridia Village.
26 Dec, 2000 hrs Molly allegedly informs neighbour Apio Annet that the newborn has died and that the body was taken to Dio Village, Myene Sub‑County, for burial.
However on the 27 Dec, 08:00 hours, Annet reports the matter to the LC I Chairperson of Akuridia Village, who contacts the suspect’s landlady, Ejang Harriet, to verify the claim.
27 Dec, 2025, later Harriet discovers the infant’s body buried in the courtyard, roughly seven metres from the house’s entrance.
27 Dec, afternoon, the LC I Chairperson inspects the site, confirms the allegation and forwards a formal report to Kamdini Town Council Police Station.
27 Dec, evening , the Police together with a Scene‑of‑Crime Officer, secure the scene, document evidence, and take statements from witnesses.
28 Dec, 2025, the infant’s body was exhumed and transferred to Anyeke Health Centre IV mortuary for post‑mortem examination. Ayo Molly has been arrested and is being held for further questioning.

“The North Kyoga Region Police are treating this case with the utmost seriousness,” said SP Patrick Jimmy Okema, Public Relations Officer for the region, in an official press release issued stated that . “Our investigators, in coordination with the Scene of Crime Officer, have secured the site, collected forensic evidence, and are awaiting the results of the post‑mortem. The suspect has been detained, and we continue to interview all persons of interest to establish a clear chain of events.”

The statement added that the investigation remains ongoing and that the police will provide updates as new information becomes available.
Residents of Akuridia Village expressed shock and sorrow. “We never imagined something like this could happen in our community,” said LC I Chairperson John Omodi, who inspected the burial site. “Our priority now is to support the family and ensure that justice is served.”

Neighbour Apio Annet, who first reported the incident, said she acted out of concern for the newborn’s welfare. “When I heard the story, I felt it was my duty to tell the village leaders. No child should be denied a proper burial.”
Under Uganda’s Infanticide Act (Cap 113), the unlawful killing of a newborn is punishable by up to 14 years’ imprisonment. The offence is distinct from murder when the perpetrator is the mother and the act occurs shortly after birth, acknowledging the complex social and psychological factors involved. However, the law also provides for severe penalties when the act is pre‑meditated or involves concealment of the body, as appears to be the case here.
Post‑mortem report: The Anyeke Health Centre IV mortuary will forward the findings to the police forensic unit within the next 48 hours.
Court proceedings: If the evidence supports an infanticide charge, Ayo Molly will be arraigned before the Oyam District Court.
Support services: The North Kyoga Regional Referral Hospital has been instructed to offer counselling to the victim’s family and to any community members affected by the tragedy.
The police have urged anyone with additional information to contact the Kamdini Town Council Police Station or the North Kyoga Regional Police Hotline at 0800 555 123.

This story will be updated as the investigation progresses.