Couple held over child abuse
Mar 22, 2009
THE Police in Gulu district are holding a couple for severely beating a nine-year-old girl, Margaret Anita and breaking her arms.
By Cornes Lubangakene
THE Police in Gulu district are holding a couple for severely beating a nine-year-old girl, Margaret Anita and breaking her arms.
Phillips Acellam, a treasurer in Laroo Division and Hellen Acellam, a secretary at Christ the King Primary Teachers College in Gulu, were detained at Gulu Police Station.
The two and another woman only identified as Grace, a nurse at Ongako sub-county health centre last Monday beat Anita after a neighbour accused her of stealing sh74,000.
A Police constable who did not want to be named said a good Samaritan took Anita to Gulu Bus Park Police post and later to Gulu Hospital. She was then referred to Lacor Hospital because Gulu Hospital did not have X-ray equipment.
The Police said after the couple had beaten Anita, her belongings were packed in a filthy polythene bag and she was chased away from the home.
Anita, who is a daughter to Hellen’s brother who stays in Kampala, is in Primary Three at Police Primary School.
The regional Police spokesman, Johnson Kilama, said the two would be charged with causing bodily harm and the sentence would depend on the medical report.
Kilama warned parents and guardians against administering heavy punishments on the children they take care of. He asked parents to be responsible and advise their children in a proper manner.
THE Police in Gulu district are holding a couple for severely beating a nine-year-old girl, Margaret Anita and breaking her arms.
Phillips Acellam, a treasurer in Laroo Division and Hellen Acellam, a secretary at Christ the King Primary Teachers College in Gulu, were detained at Gulu Police Station.
The two and another woman only identified as Grace, a nurse at Ongako sub-county health centre last Monday beat Anita after a neighbour accused her of stealing sh74,000.
A Police constable who did not want to be named said a good Samaritan took Anita to Gulu Bus Park Police post and later to Gulu Hospital. She was then referred to Lacor Hospital because Gulu Hospital did not have X-ray equipment.
The Police said after the couple had beaten Anita, her belongings were packed in a filthy polythene bag and she was chased away from the home.
Anita, who is a daughter to Hellen’s brother who stays in Kampala, is in Primary Three at Police Primary School.
The regional Police spokesman, Johnson Kilama, said the two would be charged with causing bodily harm and the sentence would depend on the medical report.
Kilama warned parents and guardians against administering heavy punishments on the children they take care of. He asked parents to be responsible and advise their children in a proper manner.