Couple Jailed For Burning Son’s Hands Over Alleged Theft
Police has arrested a married couple for aggravated torture after their child was found with burns and torture marks on their bodies.
Kitanda Paul, a food vendor at Kaleerwe Market together with his wife Ssanyu Hadija, both residents of Kiggundu Zone in Kawempe were rounded up by police following reports from residents about the tortures they said have been happening for a long time.
The victim was identified as 7-year-old Jasper Emmanuel and by the time of the discovery, his hands had been severely burned by his step mother, Ssanyu who accused him of stealing Ugsh. 2000. After the gruesome act, the couple decided to lock the child in the house so he could not attract the attention of the neighbors.
Upon arrest, the couple denied the charges forcing the child to testify against them. The toddler claimed that he had severely been beaten and has marks on his body to show for it. He denied the allegations of stealing money and also recalled the days when he together with his young brother were denied food.
According to Kibuuka Paul, the village chairperson, he received a number of reports from neighbors who confirmed the torture, also recounting the number of nights the children were woken up in their sleep to be battered.
The children’s mother Namubiru Caroline parted ways with Kitanda revealed that the latter forcefully took over custody and, on many occasions, called her to ask for money for the children’s wellbeing. To her surprise, the children were denied food.
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