Stepmother arrested over death of 3-year-old boy

Kagadi, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Yustin Nyiraziboneye, 37, a resident of Buhumuliro village in Kinyarwanda parish, Rutete sub-county, Kagadi district is in trouble for allegedly torturing her stepson to death. She reportedly tortured 3-year-old James Maniroho around 12pm on Monday. It all started when Nyirazinoneye’s husband Emmanuel Rulateze left her in charge of the minor as he went on some errands.

Nyiraziboneye reportedly assaulted the minor and inflicted on him serious injuries on the head, face, both hands, and neck for unknown reasons. The child’s condition worsened and he was pronounced dead as he was being rushed to Kagadi General Hospital.

Ivan Ahalikundira, the Rutete sub-county Internal Security Officer-GISO told Uganda Radio Network in an interview on Tuesday morning that residents heard the child screaming for help and rushed to see what was happening only to find the stepmother beating him. He says after the incident, residents arrested the woman and handed her over to the police.

According to Rulateze, the child’s father, he left his son under the care of the stepmother as he went to the garden but he was shocked when he returned home and found that his son had been beaten to death. He wants police to expedite investigations and arraign the suspect before the court for justice to prevail.

Julius Hakiza, the Albertine Region Police spokesperson says the suspect who is currently being held at Kagadi central police station will be charged with aggravated torture and murder once police complete investigations. The incident comes barely two weeks after police in Masindi arrested a man for allegedly torturing his son to death.

It is alleged that on December 17, 2022, Sharif Akugizibwe 25, a resident of Kisindi village in Kyakamese parish, Pakanyi sub-county beat his one-year-old baby girl Mercy Atulinde for unknown reasons. The child sustained serious injuries on the head, face, neck both hands, and chest and was rushed to Masindi General Hospital where she was pronounced dead on arrival.

*****

URN