Police in Mitooma District are holding a 45-year-old woman accused of forcing her eight-year-old stepson to swallow dozens of sewing needles in a case that has shocked residents in western Uganda.
The suspect, identified as Juliet Tushabeomwe, was arrested last week and is currently detained at Mitooma Central Police Station as investigations continue.
According to police, the child was rushed for medical attention after suffering severe abdominal pain for nearly two weeks. Medical examinations conducted at health facilities in Ishaka reportedly revealed multiple metallic objects lodged in his stomach.
The boy was later referred to Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital, where surgeons reportedly removed 46 needles during an operation. Medical personnel are continuing to monitor his condition as he receives specialised care.
Greater Bushenyi regional police commander Godfrey Achiria confirmed the arrest, saying the suspect is being investigated on allegations of attempted murder.
Police said preliminary findings indicate the child had been living with his stepmother following the separation of his biological parents. Investigators are still trying to establish how the needles ended up inside the child’s body.
The child’s father, Simon Twinomugisha, reportedly told investigators that domestic tensions had developed in the home after disagreements involving the child’s communication with his biological mother.
Mitooma Deputy Resident District Commissioner Umar Muhanguzi condemned the alleged abuse and urged the public to report suspected cases of violence against children to authorities immediately.
The case has triggered widespread outrage on social media, with many Ugandans expressing shock and demanding justice for the child.