Police in Nakaseke district have arrested a woman accused of setting her 16-year-old niece on fire over allegations of stealing Shs 400,000.
The suspect, Selina Nalukwago, allegedly committed the horrific act against Bridget Akello on Thursday, March 13, around 6 pm at her residence in Kyondo village, Kapeeka sub-county.
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According to Savannah Regional Police spokesperson Sam Twiineamazima, preliminary investigations indicate that Nalukwago believed Akello had stolen the money from her home.
Ms Safina Nantege, a resident, narrated that when Nalukwago returned home from work on March 15, she questioned her niece about the source of the money used to buy food since she had not left any.
“Nalukwago first bought paraffin from one of the fueling stations in Kapeeka Town before pouring it on the girl’s dress. She then pushed her into one of the rooms and set the fire. The young girl pleaded for mercy, but Nalukwago did not open the door. It was the neighbors who rushed to break it open,” she said.
Neighbours, noticing smoke emanating from the house, forcibly opened the door. They found Akello severely burned and immediately rushed her to a nearby clinic for initial treatment. Due to her critical condition, she was referred to Nakaseke General Hospital before being transferred to Kiruddu National Referral Hospital in Kampala.
It is alleged that pleas from residents for Nalukwago to take the girl to the hospital ,were rejected, with Nalukwago insisting that the teenager was a thief. The police reportedly intervened to rescue Nalukwago from an angry mob that attempted to assault and possibly lynch her, according to Mr Enock Ssekibaala, a resident of Kyondo Village, Kapeeka Sub-county.
The Savannah Regional Police spokesperson, Mr Sam Twineamazima, stated yesterday that Ms Nalukwago, now in police custody, has been charged with attempted murder.
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