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Mother arrested for allegedly burning 10-year-old son's hands over sh10,000
Police said Anyait accused her son of stealing sh10,000. Preliminary investigations, however, indicate the child had picked the money intending to buy books.
Josephine Anyait, who is in police custody for allegedly torturing her 10-year-old child over the suspected theft of sh10,000. (Courtesy Photo/Police)
By: Godfrey Ojore, Journalist @New Vision
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A 10-year-old pupil in Ngora District is battling severe burns after his biological mother allegedly tortured him by burning both his hands as punishment for allegedly taking sh10,000.
The victim, David Livingstone Okanya, is currently admitted to Ngora General Hospital, where doctors are treating extensive burns that have left both his hands swollen and severely injured. The injuries have forced him to suspend his education as he is unable to hold a pen or write.
The 10-year-old boy whose hands were allegedly burned by his mother over the suspected theft of sh10,000 in Ngora District. (Courtesy Photo/Police)
Consequently, Police have arrested the boy's mother, Josephine Anyait, 32, on charges of aggravated torture.
According to police, the incident occurred at around 8:00pm on July 17, 2026, at their home in Omuriana village, Kapir sub-county.
Despite reportedly pleading with his mother for forgiveness or a lighter punishment, Okanya allegedly endured the horrific ordeal as his hands were deliberately burned.
Police said Anyait accused her son of stealing sh10,000. Preliminary investigations, however, indicate the child had picked the money intending to buy books.
The boy was allegedly left unattended throughout the night despite sustaining serious injuries. The following morning, police said he was taken to God's Grace Clinic in Atapar Trading Centre where a clinician reportedly declined to treat him after realising the severity of the injuries and the circumstances under which they had been inflicted.
Ngora District Police Commander Denis Pahani said the case came to light after local leaders alerted the police.
"Anyait lit a fire on the hands of her biological son, accusing him of stealing sh10,000, which the victim had picked to buy books. On July 18, the victim was taken to God's Grace Clinic in Atapar Trading Centre, where the clinician declined to attend to him after realising he had sustained critical injuries to his hands," Pahani said in a statement issued on Thursday.
He said the suspect was arrested and detained under reference number CRB 315/2026 on allegations of aggravated torture, adding that investigations are ongoing to gather additional evidence before arraigning the suspect before court.
Police said Anyait accused her son of stealing sh10,000. Preliminary investigations, however, indicate the child had picked the money intending to buy books.
The boy was allegedly left unattended throughout the night despite sustaining serious injuries. The following morning, police said he was taken to God's Grace Clinic in Atapar Trading Centre where a clinician reportedly declined to treat him after realising the severity of the injuries and the circumstances under which they had been inflicted.
Ngora District Police Commander Denis Pahani said the case came to light after local leaders alerted the police.
"Anyait lit a fire on the hands of her biological son, accusing him of stealing sh10,000, which the victim had picked to buy books. On July 18, the victim was taken to God's Grace Clinic in Atapar Trading Centre, where the clinician declined to attend to him after realising he had sustained critical injuries to his hands," Pahani said in a statement issued on Thursday.
He said the suspect was arrested and detained under reference number CRB 315/2026 on allegations of aggravated torture, adding that investigations are ongoing to gather additional evidence before arraigning the suspect before court.
Area councillor Stella Ajulong said the child was eventually rescued by his grandmother before local authorities intervened.
"When I asked Anyait about the child's previous conduct, she admitted that her son had never stolen before and always asked her for money to buy books. She blamed the devil for driving her to commit such a cruel act," Ajulong said.
Ajulong described Anyait as a mother of six, who is in her second marriage after the breakdown of her first marriage.
She said the victim is among the four children Anyait brought into her current marriage.
"Her current husband, who was a widower, accepted her together with her four children. They have since had two children together and have lived as one family for several years," Ajulong explained.
Doctors treating Okanya said his recovery is expected to take time, raising fears that he could miss school for an extended period as he undergoes treatment and rehabilitation. His swollen and badly burnt hands have left him unable to write or carry out basic daily chores.
The incident comes amid continued concern over violence against children in Uganda. According to the 2025 Annual Crime Report, there were 8,064 child-related cases last year compared to 9,408 cases recorded in 2024.
"When I asked Anyait about the child's previous conduct, she admitted that her son had never stolen before and always asked her for money to buy books. She blamed the devil for driving her to commit such a cruel act," Ajulong said.
Ajulong described Anyait as a mother of six, who is in her second marriage after the breakdown of her first marriage.
She said the victim is among the four children Anyait brought into her current marriage.
"Her current husband, who was a widower, accepted her together with her four children. They have since had two children together and have lived as one family for several years," Ajulong explained.
Doctors treating Okanya said his recovery is expected to take time, raising fears that he could miss school for an extended period as he undergoes treatment and rehabilitation. His swollen and badly burnt hands have left him unable to write or carry out basic daily chores.
The incident comes amid continued concern over violence against children in Uganda. According to the 2025 Annual Crime Report, there were 8,064 child-related cases last year compared to 9,408 cases recorded in 2024.