By Frank Kamuntu
Fred Enanga, the police Spokesperson on Wednesday revealed that children are being kidnapped and murdered due to parents’ negligence.
Enanga made these remarks while unveiling the police’s three-months quarterly report, in which the police raised an alarm about increasing incidents of child murders in the country as a result of parents negligence.
He said that “There is a need for protecting children by parents and community leaders since records at Criminal Investigation Directorate (CID) released show 32 children have been killed or died as a result of arson or parents’, caretakers’ negligence.”
He added that “Even though there is some high profile cases of kidnapping children and murders which have been reported in the media, there are other cases where children have been killed by their own guardians, relatives and parents.”
Records revealed that out of 32 children who have been murdered and or died under mysterious circumstances, 13 were murdered by their parents or relatives, five died due to parental negligence, two were burnt to death while one was kidnapped for ransom and later killed.
Enanga also said that “The Homicide department at CID which has a key role in the investigations of infant and child deaths, has noted that that there are several incidents of infants and children dying before reaching 12 years. This requires public authorities to establish the cause of deaths, support the grieving parents and relatives and create interventions to prevent further deaths in children.”
He urgued the public to always be vigilant and obtain as much information as possible in respect of the history of a child and circumstances leading up to the child being found dead in such cases.
He added that “Suspicious child deaths are often associated with significant social and domestic issues for parents or guardians, such as family misunderstandings, separation, divorce, alcohol, drug abuse, mental health issues, and previous history of violence.”
Police said the disturbing incidents of killings and murder include of Deus Tumwebaze, who was kidnapped and murdered in Lyantonde last week. The kidnappers demanded for ransom which his parents didn’t have. The boy was killed because the parents could not raise the money in time.
Ivan Natamba, 4, was allegedly killed by his 26-year-old stepmother Eva Nagaba on July 13th in Kakumiro District. Two-year-old Akisham Okalo, was found dead near a shrine of one Amuza Muzige, at around 9 am on July 7.
James Olweny, a resident of Mayuge district was arrested on July 11, 2019 on suspicion of killing his four-year-old son, Samuel Owori. The suspect announced that his son had died abruptly but residents who had seen him beat the child for eating at the neighbour’s home became suspicious and alerted police.
Robinnah Asara was arrested on July 13, on suspicion of murdering her four-month-old daughter, Blessing Asindiru. Asara is a resident of Alivu village, Katrini Subcounty, in Arua district.
Twelve-year-old, Ngorok, was allegedly killed by a neighbour, Paul Loyolo, in Moroto District on July 12. Police did not establish a motive of the killing.
