News
Two-year-old dies over suspected poisoning, mother arrested
Preliminary inquiries indicate that the incident may have been linked to unresolved domestic misunderstandings between the suspect and the deceased child’s father.
Two-year-old dies over suspected poisoning, mother arrested
By: Simon Masaba, Journalist @New Vision
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Police in Namutumba District are investigating a suspected murder by poisoning after a two-year-old boy died while being rushed to Iganga Hospital.
The incident has resulted into the arrest of the unidentified child's 28-year-old mother, Apofia Naigaga.
The incident occurred on October 19, 2026, at about 10:00am in Bunyekero Village, Busini Parish, Nabweyo Sub-county.
According to preliminary police investigations, Naigaga allegedly administered rat poison to her biological son.
The child was rushed to Nsinze Health Centre IV before being referred to Iganga General Hospital, but died before reaching the facility.
Michael Kasadha, the Busoga East regional police spokesperson, said officers responded to the incident, visited the scene and documented evidence to support investigations.
“The scene was visited and documented by a team led by the officer in charge of Kibale Police Station, together with detectives and Scenes of Crime Officers,” Kasadha said.
He added that statements had been recorded from witnesses, while the child’s body was taken to the Iganga General Hospital mortuary for a postmortem examination. A sample for toxicology analysis was also secured to establish the suspected cause of death.
Kasadha said the suspect (Naigaga) is currently detained at Namutumba Central Police Station as investigations continue.
Preliminary inquiries indicate that the incident may have been linked to unresolved domestic misunderstandings between the suspect and the deceased child’s father.
Police are yet to establish the circumstances surrounding the alleged poisoning.
“The scene was visited and documented by a team led by the officer in charge of Kibale Police Station, together with detectives and Scenes of Crime Officers,” Kasadha said.
He added that statements had been recorded from witnesses, while the child’s body was taken to the Iganga General Hospital mortuary for a postmortem examination. A sample for toxicology analysis was also secured to establish the suspected cause of death.
Kasadha said the suspect (Naigaga) is currently detained at Namutumba Central Police Station as investigations continue.
Preliminary inquiries indicate that the incident may have been linked to unresolved domestic misunderstandings between the suspect and the deceased child’s father.
Police are yet to establish the circumstances surrounding the alleged poisoning.
Kasadha condemned the incident and urged couples to seek peaceful ways of resolving domestic disputes, including through local leaders, probation offices and the Police Child and Family Protection Unit.
He cautioned against exposing children to violence arising from disagreements between adults. Investigations into the incident are ongoing.
Statistics
The case comes against a wider national backdrop of homicide incidents recorded by police.
According to the 2025 Annual Crime Report released in April this year, a total of 1,326 cases of murder by assault were recorded in 2025, compared to 1,339 cases recorded in 2024.
Rwizi Region recorded the highest number of homicide cases in 2025, with 408 cases, followed by North Kyoga with 274, Rwenzori West with 264, and Wamala with 219.
At the district and divisional level, Kyegegwa recorded 67 cases, followed by Mubende and Kyenjojo with 58 each, Rukungiri with 54 and Oyam with 53.
He cautioned against exposing children to violence arising from disagreements between adults. Investigations into the incident are ongoing.
Statistics
The case comes against a wider national backdrop of homicide incidents recorded by police.
According to the 2025 Annual Crime Report released in April this year, a total of 1,326 cases of murder by assault were recorded in 2025, compared to 1,339 cases recorded in 2024.
Rwizi Region recorded the highest number of homicide cases in 2025, with 408 cases, followed by North Kyoga with 274, Rwenzori West with 264, and Wamala with 219.
At the district and divisional level, Kyegegwa recorded 67 cases, followed by Mubende and Kyenjojo with 58 each, Rukungiri with 54 and Oyam with 53.