WAKISO: The territorial Police at Entebbe are investigating the murder of a three-year-old child identified as Jalia Katende.
The victim who went missing with her mother’s phone from home on February 27, 2022, has since been missing.
Days later, Kampala Metropolitan Police Deputy Spokesperson, ASP Luke Owesingyire said the body of Katende was found on Thursday, March 3, 2022, about 150m from the parent’s place of residence in Jjungo Kitolo Cell, Kasanje town council in Wakiso district. The body of the deceased child was then conveyed to city mortuary Mulago.
Owesingyire said the mother’s phone was then tracked and recovered with John Lubega a former causal labourer at their home.
“Lubega alleges that he has been demanding the deceased’s family UGX470,000. He is currently detained at Entebbe Police station on allegations of murder,” Owesingyire added, noting that more details regarding the case will be availed soon.
On January 31, 2022, Uganda Police Force issued a press statement linked to incidences of child homicides. In the press statement, police were concerned about the increase in incidents of child murders.
About the incidents availed in the statement, it was noted that child torture and murders are real, and many children are at great risk of homicide.
To solve this predicament, police advised parents to seek help from the Child and Family Protection Officers at the nearest police station, the LCs, probation officers and NGOs advocating children’s rights in case they feel that their children are in harm’s way or are staying next to aggressive neighbours.