According to the administrator, the suspect had carefully planned the theft.
By our reporter.
A one-day-old baby who was stolen from Gulu Regional Referral Hospital has been reunited with her mother after a dramatic community-led rescue in Pader District, less than 24 hours after the incident.
The suspect, identified as 28-year-old Lamara Kevin, was intercepted by residents in Laguti Sub-county, Pader District, on the morning of July 28, 2026, after hospital CCTV images circulated widely on social media and through community networks.
According to hospital authorities, the newborn disappeared from the maternity labour ward at around 4:00 p.m. on July 27 after the baby’s mother unknowingly entrusted the infant to a woman she believed was helping her.
Walter Uriek-Wun, the Hospital Administrator at Gulu Regional Referral Hospital, said the incident triggered an immediate emergency response involving the hospital’s information technology team, which reviewed surveillance footage from the facility’s security cameras.
“We received a complaint from the in-charge of the maternity labour ward that a baby had been stolen at about 4:00 p.m. We immediately engaged our I.T. team to review the CCTV footage,” Uriek-Wun said.
“The footage clearly captured the suspect. We circulated her images widely, and fortunately members of the public were able to identify her.”
According to the administrator, the suspect had carefully planned the theft.
Hospital CCTV footage showed the woman approaching the baby’s mother before convincing her to hand over the newborn under the pretext of taking the child for routine immunisation.
“The mother did not know this woman, She trusted her because she appeared helpful. According to the footage, the suspect actually took the baby for immunisation before using another exit from the hospital and disappearing.”Uriek-Wun explained. “
The hospital reported the case to police under reference number 117-27-26, launching a joint search involving security agencies and the public.
The breakthrough came on the morning of July 28 when residents in Laguti Sub-county recognized the suspect from the circulated CCTV photographs. At approximately 10:00 a.m., the hospital received information that the suspect had been apprehended by community members and taken, together with the baby, to the Laguti Police Post.
Hospital officials immediately travelled to Pader District to verify the report and facilitate the child’s return.
“We swiftly moved to Laguti to cross-check the information and recover the baby, We were successful in bringing both the baby and the suspect to Gulu City Central Police Station, where the baby was reunited with the mother.” Uriek-Wun said.
Medical staff immediately assessed the infant upon return because of the child’s young age.
“The baby was only one day old, so we had concerns about the baby’s condition. Thankfully, the child was found alive and reunited with the mother,” Uriek-Wun added.
The administrator said the mother remains traumatised by the ordeal and will continue receiving medical and psychosocial support while investigations continue.
“The mother is our client. She has gone through a traumatic experience and may not be in a position to cope immediately. As a hospital and as government, we have a responsibility to protect her and ensure justice is served.”
Hospital authorities praised residents of Pader District for their vigilance, which led to the successful recovery.
“We want to thank the community for being vigilant. We also thank God that the baby was found alive and appreciate all the security agencies that coordinated the recovery,” Uriek-Wun said.
He described the incident as the first reported case of child theft at the hospital this year.
“In the three years I have served here, this is the first incident of its kind. Historical records indicate similar cases occurred many years ago, and that is one of the reasons the hospital invested in CCTV surveillance.”
Gulu Regional Referral Hospital currently operates 64 surveillance cameras, with plans to expand coverage following the incident.
“We have learned important lessons. We are going to strengthen security arrangements in the maternity ward and install additional surveillance where necessary to ensure this never happens again.”
Uriek-Wun also urged mothers and caregivers to remain cautious while in health facilities.
“I would like to caution mothers not to entrust their babies to strangers, regardless of how helpful they may appear. This incident demonstrates how easily someone with criminal intentions can exploit trust.”
He further encouraged institutions and households to adopt surveillance technology as a crime-prevention measure.
“Cameras played a significant role in solving this case. We encourage institutions and even households, where possible, to invest in security cameras because they can be invaluable in helping investigations.”
Police are expected to continue questioning the suspect to establish the motive behind the alleged child theft and determine whether she acted alone or as part of a wider criminal network.
Meanwhile, the successful rescue has been welcomed by residents and hospital staff, who say the case demonstrates the importance of community vigilance, rapid information sharing, and the use of surveillance technology in combating crime.
As investigations continue, authorities have appealed to the public to remain alert and immediately report suspicious behaviour around health facilities, especially maternity wards where newborns are particularly vulnerable.
