Tororo, Uganda: Police in Tororo District have arrested a 19-year-old woman as investigations continue into the death of her two-year-old son in a suspected poisoning incident.
The deceased has been identified as Michael Oloka, 2, a resident of Machar West Zone in Mbula Parish, Petta Sub-county, Tororo District.
According to Bukedi South Regional Police spokesperson IP Moses Mugwe, the incident occurred on Monday morning and was reported to police by a resident identified as Joseph Okoth.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the child had been living with his grandmother, Victoria Nyafwono, while his mother worked as a bar attendant in Mulanda Trading Centre.
Police identified the suspect as Christine Adikini, 19, who is currently in custody as investigations continue.
According to investigators, Adikini reportedly returned home on May 31 and allegedly had a disagreement with her mother regarding her movements before leaving the homestead with the child.
The following morning, Nyafwono reportedly heard the child crying from one of the houses within the family compound and went to investigate.
Police say she found the child in a weak condition with white foam coming from his mouth. The child was rushed to Nagongera Health Centre IV for treatment but was pronounced dead on arrival.
“Crime scene officers and homicide detectives visited and documented the scene. Witness statements have been recorded and investigations are ongoing,” Mugwe said.
Poisoning Angle Under Investigation
The child’s body was transferred to Tororo Municipal Mortuary for a postmortem examination to establish the exact cause of death.
Police confirmed that Adikini is being held at Tororo Central Police Station to assist with ongoing investigations.
Investigators are also examining information suggesting that the suspect may have purchased rat poison from a nearby trading centre before the incident.
However, police emphasized that inquiries are still ongoing and that no definitive conclusions have been reached regarding the circumstances surrounding the child’s death.
IP Mugwe condemned acts that threaten the right to life and urged members of the public facing family, emotional or mental health challenges to seek assistance before situations escalate into tragedy.
The incident comes amid growing concern over crimes involving children and vulnerable family members.
According to the Uganda Police Annual Crime Report 2025, thousands of children were victims of various crimes during the year, with police repeatedly calling for stronger community vigilance, child protection mechanisms and early intervention in family disputes.
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