By Agency
A 45-year-old woman accused of forcing her eight-year-old stepson to swallow sewing needles and broken bottle fragments has been charged and remanded by the Chief Magistrate’s Court in Mitooma District.
Juliet Tushabeomwe appeared before Grade I Magistrate Gibson Muhangi on Thursday and was charged with two counts of aggravated torture and attempted murder.
State prosecutor Caroline Kesubi told the court that between August 2025 and April 28, 2026, at Rweibare Village in Mitooma District, Tushabeomwe intentionally and unlawfully forced her stepson, Samuel Akamumpa, to swallow 49 sewing needles and pieces of broken glass.
The prosecution further alleged that during the same period, Tushabeomwe attempted to cause the death of the child, leading to the attempted murder charge under Section 187 of the Penal Code Act.
Tushabeomwe pleaded not guilty to both charges. Magistrate Muhangi remanded her to Mitooma Government Prison until June 11, 2026.
According to the child’s relative, Eunice Birungi, the family sought medical attention for Akamumpa two weeks ago after he developed serious health complications. She said the child was first taken to Gava Imaging Centre for an X-ray before being referred to Ishaka Adventist Hospital for a CT scan, which reportedly revealed multiple metallic objects lodged in his stomach.
The child was later referred to Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital, where he remains admitted in the paediatric ward. Birungi said Akamumpa is currently recovering after undergoing surgery earlier this week, during which doctors removed 46 needles from his digestive system. She appealed to the police to conduct thorough investigations to ensure justice for the child.
