A 25-year-old nursery teacher, Gloria Icois, was arrested for allegedly abandoning her newborn baby boy in a 20-foot-deep pit latrine shortly after giving birth over the weekend.
Icois, who had been employed at AAcomia Nursery School in Acomia village, Kateta parish, Serere district, for just three weeks, had misled her colleagues about her pregnancy. She had claimed to be only four months pregnant and stated that the father of the child was abroad, without providing any specific details. Colleagues reported that Icois denied any responsibility for the baby and even suggested that the child might not be hers.
The incident came to light on Sunday, March 16, 2025, when a child using the latrine heard the sound of an infant crying and alerted nearby adults. Local residents rushed to the scene to assess the situation.
Francis Okurut, a school administrator, said that Icois claimed the baby had accidentally fallen into the latrine while she was using it. However, in a courageous act, Moses Etadu, a local resident, entered the latrine and rescued the newborn. The baby was found damp with a zip tie around his neck, commonly used in making Kitenge fabric.
The community’s response was one of shock and outrage. A police officer at the scene, who wished to remain anonymous, urged the public to stay alert and report suspicious activities, highlighting the importance of collective responsibility in protecting children.
Icois is currently detained at Kateta Police Station, and investigations are ongoing to ensure the baby’s safety and address concerns in the community. According to a report by the Uganda Police Fire and Rescue Services, at least 200 people were rescued from pits, particularly latrines, in 2024, with newborns often being the victims of such incidents.
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