Police in Kiboga District have arrested a man suspected of poisoning his two biological children, resulting in their deaths. The victims have been identified as six-year-old Thomas Bugembe and four-year-old Praise Kabanda.
According to Superintendent of Police Racheal Kawala, spokesperson for the Wamala region, the incident occurred on Tuesday evening in Magi Village, Kasega Parish, Kapeke Subcounty, Kiboga District. The suspect, 41-year-old Thomas Aliwo Mubi, allegedly administered poison to his children, causing their immediate deaths.
Preliminary police investigations revealed that Mubi had separated from his wife, who left the two children in his care. Struggling to provide for them, Mubi moved from Buyende District to Kayunga District in search of employment but was unsuccessful.
On Sunday, Mubi reportedly decided to travel to Hoima City to seek help from his brother. However, upon arriving in Hoima, he was unable to locate his brother, whose phone had been switched off.
Desperate and with no clear plan, Mubi hired a boda boda on Tuesday and traveled to Magi Village in Kiboga District. There, he entered a building belonging to Namuli Betty without her knowledge, using it as a resting place for himself and his children.
It is alleged that later that evening, Mubi administered poison to his children, causing their instant deaths.
Police were alerted to the incident and quickly responded to the scene, where the children’s lifeless bodies were discovered.
“The bodies of the deceased have been taken to Kiboga Hospital mortuary for a postmortem,” said SP Kawala. “Preliminary findings suggest that the father planned to kill the children and then flee to ensure his own survival.”
The suspect remains in custody as investigations continue to uncover the full circumstances surrounding the deaths.