Couple burns two-year-old child for stealing silver fish

The child's hands that were burnt by his parents for reportedly stealing silver fish soup. PHOTO BY MUDANGHA KOLYANGHA

What you need to know:

  • The child is currently receiving treatment at Budaka Health Centre IV as investigation into the matter is ongoing.
  • Meanwhile, the Police have preferred charges of Assault and domestic violence against the couple and will be arraigned in court as soon as investigations are complete.

Police in Budaka District are investigating circumstances under which a couple reportedly tortured and burnt the hands of their own two-year-old child using polythene papers soaked in paraffin, accusing him of stealing silver fish sauce.

The officer-in charge child and family protection Unit at Budaka Police Station, Ms Ester Nabuduwa, identified the couple as Justine Nasiyo and Musa Mpima, residents of Bulyampiti village, Iki-Iki Sub County in Budaka District.

She says the couple was arrested after one Edisa Nekasa, the child’s grandmother found him abandoned outside the house after the brutal torture, and reported the matter to Police.

“This was quite barbaric, unfortunate and regrettable incidence for the sound people to torture their own child because of silver fish. This is quite unbelievable and should be condemned in the strongest terms possible,” Ms Nabuduwa said, adding that the law will deal with them accordingly.

The child is currently receiving treatment at Budaka Health Centre IV as investigation into the matter is ongoing.

Meanwhile, the Police have preferred charges of Assault and domestic violence against the couple and will be arraigned in court as soon as investigations are complete.