Kagera police hunt three suspects for child kidnapping
POLICE in Kagera region are hunting three suspects for allegedly kidnapping a one-month-old child.
Kagera Regional Police Commander, Assistant Commissioner (ACP) William Mwampaghale told reporters during a press conference that the incident happened on Thursday afternoon in Bukoba Municipal’s Migera Street at Nshambya Ward.
“At around noon on Thursday, three men reported at the home of Ms Johanitha Augustine (25), who recently delivered a baby boy identified as Beneth Benatus (one month old).
The three men congratulated her for the safe delivery while also asking whether they could see the child, but the mother declined because the child was asleep in one of the rooms. She later escorted them some 200 metres away, but to her surprise, when she went back the baby was nowhere to be seen,” he said.
RPC Mwampaghale explained that police officers have intensified efforts to trace the missing child while calling for public cooperation when they see any person with a baby.
Meanwhile, Community Development, Gender, Women and Special Groups Minister Dr Dorothy Gwajima explained that the law which will be identified as the Social Welfare Services Act is anticipated to enable people with a career in the field such as counsellors, social workers and psycho-social providers to acquire licensing to boost access to their crucial services.
Dr Gwajima made the revelation during a press conference of European Union countries as part of a series of events to mark 16 days of Activism to end violence against women and children held in Dar es Salaam on Wednesday.
According to her, violence against the groups was still an issue in the country, with data from the year 2020 showing 15,700 cases against children in comparison to 14,499 cases in 2021.
“Despite the many efforts taken by the government and other stakeholders, data from 2020 to 2021 shows that violence slowed down by 27 per cent. The rate of reduction is not quite appealing as per the set target of 50 per cent,” she hinted.
She revealed that the country was currently grappling with mental problems among factors for escalating reported violence cases, citing psychological help as among crucial factors to deter the challenges.
Minister Gwajima explained that the Social Welfare Services law will help availability of psycho-social support and counseling among others.
“Besides, the second phase of the National Plan of Action to end Violence against Women and Children of 2022/2026 is underway after the expiration of the previous one on June, this year,” she said.
