LIRA CITY, Uganda – The Territorial Police in Lira-City Central Division have launched a frantic manhunt for a woman who allegedly stole a one-month-old infant during a fellowship gathering at Mayor's Garden on Saturday, October 11th, 2025.
The heartbreaking incident was reported to the police by the child's mother, 32-year-old Atim Gloria, a resident of Starch Factory Cell, Lira-City East Division, a day after the abduction.
According to a statement released by SP Patrick Jimmy Okema, the North Kyoga Region Police Public Relations Officer, the incident occurred at approximately 5:00 PM. Atim Gloria had attended a fellowship event at the popular Mayor's Garden. During the service, an unidentified woman approached her and convinced her to hand over her baby, Opio Job, aged just one month and thirteen days, so that Atim could go and "praise God" freely.
Trusting the stranger in a place of worship, Atim handed over her newborn. However, upon her return, the woman and the baby were nowhere to be found.
"A frantic search was immediately initiated by the mother," stated SP Okema. "The event organizers were informed, and public announcements were made over the address system in an attempt to locate the child, but these efforts proved futile."
After a night of desperate searching, a distraught Atim Gloria officially reported the case at Lira-Central Police Station on Sunday, October 12th, at 2:29 PM.
Police have since registered a casefile of child stealing and have visited the scene of the crime. Investigators have also recorded statements from witnesses who confirmed seeing Atim with her baby at the event before the disappearance.
"Effort to trace for the suspect is ongoing," assured SP Okema. "We are also making arrangements for announcements to be made on local radio stations to widen the search."
The police are now appealing to the public for assistance. They are urging anyone with information about the identity or whereabouts of the suspect—described only as an unidentified woman who was present at the Mayor's Garden fellowship—to come forward immediately.
"Anyone who has information on the whereabouts of this lady is urged to inform the nearest police station for her immediate arrest and prosecution," the police statement concluded.
The community in Lira City has been left in shock by the brazen abduction, which took place in a public space during a religious function. Authorities are treating the case with extreme urgency as the search for baby Opio Job continues.
