Ugandan woman from Mitooma District in western region has been remanded to prison after appearing in court for forcing her eight-year-old stepson to swallow dozens of sewing needles and pieces of broken glass.
Juliet Tushabeomwe, 45, appeared before Grade One Magistrate Gibson Muhangi at the Chief Magistrate’s Court in Mitooma District on Thursday, where she was charged with aggravated torture and attempted murder.
According to State Prosecutor Caroline Kesubi, the alleged abuse happened between August 2025 and 28 April 2026 at Rweibare Village in Mitooma District.
Court heard that Tushabeomwe allegedly forced her stepson, Samuel Akamumpa, to swallow 46 sewing needles together with fragments of broken glass, causing severe physical harm.
Prosecution also accused her of attempting to kill the child, leading to the attempted murder charge.
The suspect denied both charges before court. Magistrate Muhangi later remanded her to Mitooma Prison until June 11 2026.
The child’s condition reportedly came to light after he was first taken to Gava Imaging Centre for an X-ray examination before being referred to Ishaka Adventist Hospital for a CT scan.
Medical examinations allegedly revealed several metallic objects lodged in the boy’s stomach.
He was later transferred to Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital, where he remains admitted in the paediatric ward as doctors continue treatment.
Reports indicate that about 46 sewing needles have so far been removed from the child’s body. Uganda law on children
The constitution and the Children Act ensure rights to survival, development, protection, and participation however Parents or guardians are legally responsible for maintenance, including providing shelter, food, education, and medical care.
Despite some fluctuations in total reported numbers, cases of child neglect, abuse, and abandonment remain high. In 2024, police records indicated high levels of child abuse and torture, and over 4,730 cases of child neglect.
