Buikwe, Uganda – Police in Buikwe District have launched a manhunt for a 21-year-old man suspected of murdering his one-week-old son and burying the infant’s body in a forest in Najja Sub-county.
According to police reports, the incident is believed to have occurred on Monday, 11 August 2026. The suspect, identified by sources as a resident and farmer in Bufumbe Village, allegedly took the newborn from its mother before killing the child and disposing of the body in a nearby forest.
Detectives from Buikwe District Police Station, working with officers from the Sezibwa Region, are treating the case as a suspected murder. Preliminary investigations indicate that the baby was only seven days old at the time of the incident. The body was later recovered from the forest, prompting an intensified search for the father.
Police spokesperson for the region confirmed that a case of murder has been opened and that detectives are following several leads. Officers have appealed to members of the public with any information about the whereabouts of the suspect to come forward and assist with investigations.
Residents of Najja Sub-county and surrounding areas have expressed shock and outrage over the killing of such a young child. Community leaders have called for calm while urging cooperation with police to ensure the suspect is quickly apprehended and brought to justice.
The case has once again drawn attention to the vulnerability of infants and the need for stronger community vigilance and support systems for young parents. Child protection advocates say such incidents highlight the importance of early intervention in family disputes and mental health support for new parents facing economic or social pressures.
Police have cautioned the public against harbouring the suspect, warning that anyone found assisting him risks being charged as an accessory. Officers are also examining the circumstances surrounding the relationship between the parents and any possible motives that may have led to the tragic incident.
As investigations continue, detectives are collecting forensic evidence from the scene and interviewing family members and neighbours. The body of the infant has been taken for a post-mortem examination to establish the exact cause of death.
Authorities have urged anyone with information that could help locate the 21-year-old suspect to contact the nearest police station or call the police emergency hotline. Buikwe District leadership has pledged full support to the police operation and called on local leaders to mobilise communities in the search.
The killing of a one-week-old baby has left the community in mourning and raised serious questions about child protection mechanisms at the grassroots level. Police say they remain committed to ensuring that justice is served for the innocent life lost.
Further updates are expected as the manhunt intensifies and more details emerge from the ongoing investigation.