By Prossy Namiiro
The Uganda Police Spokesperson Fred Enanga has advised parents to jealously protect their children as child homicide is still rife.
Enanga revealed that the joint security agencies continue to register incidents of child homicides, where children are tortured and murdered, under avoidable circumstances.
“on the 11.02.2022, a one Rihanna Namuyombya, a 5-year-old baby class pupil, at St James Buwejje Junior School, Buwejje Trading Centre Kyato Parish, Mbirizi Sub-county, in Kasanda district, was led to a banana plantation, by her maternal Uncle, Ssenkumbi Arian, who slit her throat with a panga, and killed her instantly.” He narrated
The victim had not gone to school that day, due to illness. She instead escorted her mother, Nosaita Nankumba 34, a peasant, to their garden at Busana village. The mother left the daughter, playing with other children at around 7.30am, and proceeded to the garden. At around 9.30am, she realized her daughter was missing and when she inquired, she was told how she had gone to her maternal Uncle Arian Ssenkumbu, with whom she had a poor relationship. The suspect was arrested and lynched to death by the community.” Police revealed
Enanga also narrated that on February 10, at around 8.40am, the police in Hoima found the body of Immaculate Nyabagimu Immaculate 15, a former primary six pupil at Naigaga Primary School in Kagadi District.
According to Police, the deceased had left her home in Kyanaisoke Village, Kahunde Parish, Kyanaisoke Subcounty, in Kagadi District, on the February 8 and went to Hoima to look for a job. She was hired as a maid, by Beatrice Akuguzibwe, a food vendor at park cell, central ward, Hoima East Division, in Hoima City. The victim was sleeping in a kitchen and on the fateful day, she was raped and strangled to death, two days after leaving their home. The suspect is still unknown but investigations are ongoing. Exhibits of a torn petticoat and other items were recovered.
“Again, on the 10.02.2022, a one Rita Nasasira 25, a hotel attendant of Rwabarera Cell, Kagarama Parish, Bubaare Subcounty, Rubanda District, prepared her two daughters, Blessing Kukundankwe 7, and her elder sister Ainebyoona Ampurira Cynthia for school. She also gave them money for lunch. During lunch time, the siblings went to the local hotel of Busingye alias Vayi at Rwakabara Cell, Kabale Municipality and she served them food, laced with suspected poison. The victims started experiencing stomach pains and vomiting. Upon, reaching their home, the younger victim Kukundakwe Blessing, aged 7, collapsed and died. Their mother returned and rushed Ainebyoona Cynthia to Rugarama Hospital, while in critical condition. The suspect is arrested and in custody.
Police says the incidents and many others clearly indicate how children are great risk due to the existence of perpetrators of child abuse torture and murder.
The circumstances above under which the children are killed bring out motivations of revenge, jealousy and financial challenges, as factors that affect children.
