Mitooma woman jailed 49 years for forcing stepson to swallow 49 needles
While delivering his ruling, Muhangi said Tushabomwe had caused the boy unbearable pain by forcing him to swallow dangerous objects.
Juliet Tushabeomwe, who is accused of attempted murder and aggravated torture, appears in court. (Photo by Bruno Mugizi).
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MITOOMA — The Mitooma Chief Magistrate’s Court has sentenced a woman to 49 years in prison for forcing her nine-year-old stepson to swallow 49 sewing needles and broken pieces of pens in an incident that nearly killed the child.
Juliet Tushabomwe was sentenced by Chief Magistrate Gibson Muhangi on Friday, November 13, after she was found guilty of two offences related to the torture of the boy, identified as Samuel Akamumpa.
The court heard that Tushabomwe repeatedly forced the nine-year-old to swallow sewing needles and broken pieces of pens, causing him severe pain and serious internal injuries.
The objects were later extracted at Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital, where the child underwent treatment and surgery.
While delivering his ruling, Muhangi said Tushabomwe had caused the boy unbearable pain by forcing him to swallow dangerous objects.
The magistrate said the sentence reflected the seriousness of the offences. He added that the 49-year sentence was significant because the woman had forced the child to swallow 49 needles.
Tushabomwe was sentenced to 49 years on each of the two counts. However, the sentences will run concurrently, meaning she will serve a total of 49 years in prison.
The incident happened on April 25, 2026, at Rweibaare II, Kyanzire Parish, Kashenshero Sub-county in Mitooma District.
Prosecution evidence showed that the boy had been living with his stepmother after his biological parents separated.
The case attracted public attention in May after the boy was rushed to hospital with persistent stomach pain.
During the trial, the boy told the court that his stepmother had wrapped sewing needles in pieces of paper before forcing him to swallow them on different occasions.
The prosecution, led by District State Attorney Caroline Keshuubi, presented seven witnesses, including the boy.
In her defence, Tushabomwe told the court that she had been taking care of the boy since he was two years old, after his biological mother separated from her husband.
She denied forcing him to swallow the objects, claiming that he could have picked them up from neighbours because he sometimes ate food at their homes.
Close relatives welcomed the ruling and thanked the court for delivering justice. The boy's aunt, Eunice Birungi, said that her nephew deserved justice, adding that the family was satisfied with the court ruling
Edith Basigireki, a resident of Kyanzire, urged parents and guardians to love and protect children under their care, whether they are their biological children or stepchildren.