Summary:

• Police in Nyakiyumbu, Kasese, are investigating the alleged torture of a five-year-old child tied up for months in a vanilla garden by his stepmother; rescued by a community volunteer and taken to Bwera Hospital for malnourishment and injuries.

The Nyakiyumbu subcounty police in Kasese district are currently investigating an incident in which a five-year-old child was allegedly subjected to torture in Kyaminyawandi village.

Although the police have not provided an official statement, Mr. Peter Sunday Kakule, the local council three chairperson for the area, told Examiner that the victim, the son of Thamuzala Ngonzaki, was purportedly bound for several months in a vanilla garden by his stepmother. The stepmother allegedly claimed this was to protect the crop from thieves.

Following a tip-off from a concerned whistleblower, Mr. David Thembo Kyeghekire, a community volunteer affiliated with Justice Centers-Uganda, rescued the victim. The child’s father is reportedly in hiding.

Describing the harrowing situation, Mr. Sunday Kakule highlighted the child’s malnourished appearance, along with bruises and swollen legs and hands. The victim, who had endured various forms of torture, including periods of hunger, was rescued yesterday.

Mr. Thembo, along with the local council one chairperson, retrieved the child based on the tip-off and promptly reported the incident to the police. Subsequently, they took the victim to Bwera Hospital for further medical attention and management of his situation.