Police in Amolatar District have arrested a man and his wife after a five-year-old girl was allegedly burned on the hand as punishment over a missing Shs200 coin.
Nickson Esongu and his wife, Dillish Akullu, who is the child’s biological mother, are being held at Amolatar Central Police Station as investigations continue.
Police allege that Mr Esongu tied dry grass around the girl’s right hand and set it on fire at their home in Epyel Cell, Amolatar Town Council, on Monday.
The child, identified only as Prisca to protect her identity, is Mr Esongu’s stepdaughter.
North Kyoga Regional Police spokesperson SP Patrick Jimmy Okema confirmed the arrests and said police were investigating allegations of aggravated child torture and abuse.
Dispute over Shs200
Mr Esongu reportedly told community members during his arrest that he had previously suspected the child of taking money from the home.
“Whenever I return home, I always find my money missing from where I had left it and if I ask her whether she is the one who has picked it, the child always denies,” he said.
According to the account given to authorities, the latest incident began after Mr Esongu discovered that a Shs200 coin was missing.
Ms Akullu said her husband had previously complained about money disappearing and that they had suspected the child, although she had denied taking it.
“When he (Esongu) returned home on Monday, he found a coin of Shs200 missing from where he had kept it,” Ms Akullu said.
“So when Prisca, who had gone to play with other children, returned, he (Esongu) told me, ‘today I am going to punish your daughter for stealing my money’, and he tied dry grass on her right hand and set it ablaze,” she added.
The allegations have not been tested in court.
Child escapes from home
The girl reportedly escaped from the home and sought help at a nearby residence.
Local leaders were alerted before police were called to the area.
A police team led by Alfred Emong Adingi reportedly began searching for the suspects.
Ms Akullu was initially detained by community members before police arrived.
Police said Mr Esongu later attempted to flee from a location near his home but was intercepted by another police team.
Officers reportedly fired warning shots into the air before arresting him.
Girl alleges repeated abuse
The child has also alleged that she had previously experienced physical abuse and neglect at home.
“I frequently go hungry without food and I am neglected when it comes to clothing,” she said.
She further alleged that her mother and stepfather provided clothes and other necessities to their two biological children while she did not receive similar support.
Police are expected to investigate the additional allegations as part of the case.
Police condemn alleged abuse
SP Okema condemned the alleged treatment of the child and urged parents and guardians to protect children from violence and other forms of abuse.
“We shall prefer charges of aggravated child torture and abuse against the suspect, which carries a sentence of life imprisonment upon conviction,” Mr Okema said.
Uganda’s Prevention and Prohibition of Torture Act criminalises torture and provides for more serious penalties in aggravated cases, including where the alleged victim is a child.
Police said investigations were continuing before the case is forwarded for further legal action.
The suspects remain in custody, and the allegations against them have not been proven in court.
