By Andrew Irumba
Nansana: Two parents; a mother and father have been arrested by police in Wakiso over allegations that they burnt their own child as a way of initiating him into witchcraft.
Kampala Metropolitan Police Spokesperson, Patrick Onyango, says Robert Kayiira and Mariam Nassuuna burnt their son over weekend and tried to conceal the incident, saying the boy had been scalded by hot water. However, the teenager who was experiencing excruciating pain opened up to the neighbors, who he told about his plight. According to Onyango, the teenager said he had resisted attempts by his parents to encourage him to learn witchcraft for the last three years but they had overpowered. He reportedly claimed that over the weekend, his parents boiled a herbal concoctions and asked him to bend on it. The suspects reportedly covered his head with a blanket.
It was at that moment the parents reportedly pushed the boy into the saucepan with the hot concoctions and burnt his face. Onyango said upon learning about the incident from the neighbours, Nansana police arrested the couple. The teenager has since recorded a statement explaining how his parents caused him injuries which almost took his life. Police have preferred charges of causing grievous harm against Kayiiira and Nassuna, who will be paraded in court as soon as investigations are completed. However, Onyango warned parents against pushing children into acts that are not of their wish because this is tantamount to child torture and anyone found culpable is liable to prosecution.
