WAKISO — Police have arrested a 38-year-old woman accused of torturing her two daughters, aged seven and eight, by beating them and burning them with a heated knife over an alleged Shs5,000 theft.
The suspect, Sophia Nasanga, a resident of Kireka Biira in Nakabugo Parish, Wakiso District, was arrested after authorities received information about the alleged abuse on October 28, 2026.
Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson Rachel Kawala said the woman allegedly assaulted the children before using a knife heated on a charcoal stove to inflict burns on them.
Police said Nasanga reportedly admitted to the acts during interrogation, claiming the girls had stolen the money and were disrespectful.
She remains in police custody as investigations continue ahead of her appearance in court.
Residents who spoke to reporters alleged that the children had suffered similar mistreatment before. They claimed Nasanga had severely beaten the girls the previous month and subsequently fled the home to avoid local leaders.
Neighbours also alleged that the children’s father regularly sends money for their upkeep, but claimed some of the funds were diverted for other purposes.
The children were reportedly taken for medical attention following the incident. The case comes amid continued concerns about child abuse in Uganda. The Police Annual Crime Report for 2025 recorded 710 cases of child abuse and torture, compared with 787 cases in 2024.
Police have repeatedly warned parents and guardians against using violence as a form of discipline, urging them instead to protect children from physical harm.
Investigations into the Wakiso incident are ongoing, and the suspect’s allegations have not yet been determined by a court.
