Uganda: 16-year-old girl throws her baby into river
Written by URN
A 16-year-old girl has been arrested in Mitooma district for allegedly throwing into the river her one-year-old baby.
According to Martial Tumusiime, Greater Bushenyi police spokesperson, the distressing incident occurred on Thursday, May 25 at Nyakatoma cell, Mayanga sub-county. The body of the victim was discovered and retrieved from the river on Saturday.
The suspect’s name has been withheld since she is a minor is a resident of Nyaruzinga B cell, Mayanga parish, Mayanga sub-county. According to Tumusiime, the suspect allegedly bowed to pressure from her parents, who reportedly said they did not want the grandchild in their home.
The suspect was arrested on Sunday from her hideout in Mayanga. Tumusiime stated that the parents of the girl will be summoned to provide give statements during the investigation, and if found to be involved in the incident, they may face charges as well.
Naboth Kwikiriza, the Mayanga parish security officer, was alerted by residents who saw the body of a baby floating in River Kiriri. He promptly notified the police, who retrieved the baby’s lifeless body. Emily Mushabe, who first discovered the baby’s body while fetching water from the river, raised the alarm, attracting the attention of others nearby.
The body has been transported to Kitagata hospital for postmortem examination, while the suspect remains in custody at Mitooma Central police station.
