Three children killed in homicides in the last week

The police are currently investigating cases of child homicide in the three districts of Serere, Kayunga and Oyam.

According to Fred Enanga the police spokesperson, cases of child homicide are on a rise across the country and this is a worrying trend.

The first incident occurred in Serere district, where a 3-year-old girl identified as Akello Mary was tortured to death, by a 21-year-old man identified as Emidu James.

The suspect is a resident of Oomokor village, Kamodi parish, Bugonda sub-county in Serere district.

It is reported that the victim was left behind by the grandmother, Akello Joyce Mary, who had gone to attend a meeting organized by their savings group at Atirir trading centre. 

However, upon her return, she found that the victim had collapsed dead, with bruises all over the body. The Emidu upon realizing that the 3-year-old, had collapsed and died, escaped from the village.

The police traced and successfully arrested him on 3.04.2022.

The second incident was in Kayunga district, 3 suspects are in custody for the aggravated torture and murder of a 4-year-old girl. The victim is identified as Kadaga Ajila a granddaughter of Naleba Zaidi of Kiwangala village, Busaana sub-county in Kayunga. 

According to Enanga, the three suspects include; Naleba Saidi, Sabano Annet and Doreen Hasakya. “They were repeatedly involved in the harassment, torture and intimidation of the victim; whose body was found with several burns and bruises on the legs and arms,” says Enanga.

Meanwhile in Oyam district, a 23-year-old mother of two identified as Nam Rebecca poisoned her children due to repeated acts of mistreatment and insults from her grandmother. 

It is alleged that on 29.03.2022, her grandmother rebuked her for buying less food. This angered the victim, who, due to the emotional torture administered poison to her two children aged 3 and two months, and herself. 

Both children succumbed to the poison at Atapara hospital, while their mother is still in critical condition.

Enanga says children continue to be vulnerable in society, due to poor oversight, neglect, anger and frustration. 

“We call upon local leaders and child rights defenders to concert efforts, in close coordination to monitor all spaces and circumstances under which children are living,” he added.

He says the force remains committed to pursuing every incident of aggravated torture and murder of children and will ensure perpetrators of child torture and murder are brought to justice.