Police in Masindi have arrested a woman identified as Harriet Kyomuhendo, a stepmother to three children for poisoning them, leaving two of them dead and one hospitalized.

According to police, the deceased were aged eight and nine, while the surviving child who is currently receiving treatment at Masindi General Hospital, is a two-year old, and all residents of Labongo sub-county in Masindi district.

In a statement released on Monday, October 30, 2023, SCP Fred Enanga, the Police Spokesperson said that, the suspect gave the victims food mixed with suspected poison which made them unconscious and were rushed to Masindi General Hospital for medical attention.

He identified the deceased as Patience Katusiime, an eight-year-old and James Asobora, five years old. The surviving two-year-old is identified as Mary Kyosaba.

“Unfortunately, Katusiime Patience, the 8-year-old, female juvenile and Asobora James, the 5-year-old, male juvenile died. The third victim, Kyosaba Mary, is improving and out of danger at Masindi hospital,” Enanga said.

The police have strongly condemned acts of brutality against innocent children, who have a right to life.

The suspect has been charged with two counts of murder and one count of attempted murder.

According to Article 22(1) of the 1995 Constitution of Uganda as amended which talks about protection of right to life stipulates that, No person shall be deprived of life intentionally except in execution of a sentence passed in a fair trial by a court of competent jurisdiction in respect of a criminal offence under the laws of Uganda and the conviction and sentence have been confirmed by the highest appellate court.