Police in Kampala is holding a mother who was captured in a viral video mercilessly torturing her 10 year biological son.
In a video clip captured and circulated by neighbours in Kisaasi, Kalisa zone in Kampala, the ruthless mother is seen grabbing her son by the collar of his t.shirt and firmly holding him by the back of his neck. The relentless woman tries to drag the child into her rental for a thorough beating but he keeps resisting until she throws him against the main door mirror that breaks against his head.
The suspect Deborah Apolot who is in custody at Kira Road police, boldly admitted to flogging her son Mark Omiat for failing to fulfill an errand.
Luke Owoyesigyire, the Kampala Metropolitan Deputy Police Spokesperson told our reporter Minah Nalule that the suspect was busted at her residence on Monday at 9 pm and is yet to be presented before the courts of law on charges of child torture.
He says Apolot told police that she was disciplining the minor for delaying at the grocery shop after he was sent to buy certain items. Apolot alleges that on Monday morning, she handed Omait 5,000 shillings to buy groceries at the shop but he delayed until afternoon. She claims that she decided to punish Omait after personally looking for him.
Owoyesigire, the victim sustained serious injuries and he is receiving treatment at home with the father (names withheld).
There is an increasing body of evidence, both in Uganda and globally, detailing the disturbingly high prevalence of violence against children (VAC).
At least 1,500 children are abused or tortured annually according to Uganda Police Force statistics. However, the convictions of the abusers of children in court are as low as 45 per 1500 cases.
In March 2021, a 23-year-old mother was also filmed brutalizing her five-year-old son and sentenced to two years in prison. Patience Uwimana, a resident of Byuma village, Kyazanga town council in Lwengo district was convicted by Masaka Grade One Magistrate for torturing her son on February 8, 2021.
In September 2021, Police arrested two women for torturing a 7 year old child on accusations of stealing fish.
The suspects Aisha Nalubega and her friend Allen Kyazike were captured in a viral video. Nalubega the step mother to the victim, tied the victim upside down on a pole while her friend Kyazike lit the candle before they started burning the child with burnt waxes.
The incident was reported by the area defense secretary of Busabala B zone in Makindye division.
