Mitooma,Uganda – Police in Mitooma District have arrested a 45-year-old woman accused of forcing her eight-year-old stepson to swallow needles.
The suspect, Juliet Tushabeomwe, a resident of Rweibare II Village, Kyanzire Parish, Kashenshero Town Council, was arrested on 1st May 2026. She is detained at Mitooma Central Police Station as investigations continue.
Greater Bushenyi Sub-region Police Commander Godfrey Achiria confirmed the arrest and said the suspect has been charged with attempted murder. “We arrested the suspect to assist with investigations into allegations that the child was forced to swallow needles. She has been charged with attempted murder as investigations continue,” Achiria said.
According to preliminary findings, the child suffered severe abdominal pain for nearly two weeks, prompting his aunt, Birungi Eunice, to seek medical attention. Examinations at Gava Imaging Centre and Ishaka Adventist Hospital, including an X-ray and CT scan, reportedly revealed metallic objects in the child’s stomach.
He was later referred to Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital, where he is admitted in the pediatric ward. Doctors say 46 needles have so far been removed through surgery, with further procedures expected depending on his recovery.
Attempts to obtain a comment from the hospital were unsuccessful, as the public relations officer was away on official duties.
Police reports suggest the incident occurred about two weeks ago in Rweibare Village. Investigators say the child had been living with his stepmother following the separation of his biological parents.
Sources close to the investigation allege that the suspect wrapped the needles in pieces of paper before forcing the child to swallow them, occasionally giving him porridge to ease swallowing.
The child’s father, Twinomugisha Simon, told police that tensions at home escalated after the suspect became unhappy over the boy’s communication with his biological mother. “My wife did not want my son to speak to his mother. She would tell me to stop him or else she would chase him away to go to his mother,” he said.
Mitooma District Deputy Resident District Commissioner Umar Muhanguzi condemned the alleged act of violence and urged the public to report suspected child abuse cases promptly. “We condemn this alleged act of violence against a child and urge the public to report suspected child abuse cases without delay,” Muhanguzi said.
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Very dangerous woman,send her to join Okello on death sentence
That woman is evil 🙈🙈🙈🙈.How I wish they take her to follow Okello.I suggest the govt build a prison for those in such acts of killing and torturing children, so that they go there a kill themselves because they are fond of killing.