Police in Nama, Mukono, are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of a five-month-old baby at Nama Wellness Care Center (NAWEC) two weeks ago.
The baby, whose father is Ronald Tenywa from Mukono Municipality, was taken to the facility for circumcision.
Despite NAWEC having reportedly suspended such procedures, staff at the center went ahead with the operation.
According to the baby’s grandmother, Robinah Namusisi, health workers at the facility agreed to perform a service they no longer officially offered and charged a substantial amount for it.
“They even invited us to have the circumcision done at night, as they did not want to do it officially since it was illegal,” Namusisi told reporters.
She alleged that the baby was given an overdose of anesthesia to ensure he remained unconscious during the procedure.
The child died instantly after the circumcision, leaving the medical staff in panic.
Pauline Keronyai Picho, the head of NAWEC, stated that the facility had stopped offering circumcision services after losing donor funding. At the time of the incident, she was out of the country.
Another staff member, Awumba Roger Mulumba, confirmed the incident and revealed that the facility had reached an informal agreement with the baby’s family.
“Only the grandmother seems more emotional about it, but we settled the matter with the parents,” Mulumba said.
Despite this, police have opened a general inquiry file to establish how the baby died at a facility that had officially stopped carrying out circumcision.
Local sources claim this is not the first time such an incident has occurred at the center.
Authorities remain tight-lipped as investigations continue.
More updates to follow…