Police have apprehended two men suspected of having kidnapped and later murdered a seven-year-old boy in Kyenjojo District .
According to Police spokesperson, Kituuma Rusoke, the incident happened on June, 12 when Osbert Turinayo, 7 had gone to watch a movie at a nearby bar with his brothers at Isoroma Village, Kisojo Sub-county, Kyenjojo District.
“When his brothers returned home, Turinayo didn’t return. Efforts by family members and residents to trace him proved unsuccessful,” Rusoke said.
He explained that the family reported the matter to police the following day, prompting investigations.
Rusoke, however said on June, 15, the family received a phone call from an unknown person demanding a ransom of shs1.5 million to have the baby released or else they would kill him.
He said as part of their investigations, Police, tracked and arrested two suspects, identified as Isaiah Manyindo alias Bala, 26, and Erias Twimukye, 17.
“During interrogation, the suspects confessed to the killing and guided police to the crime scene where the lifeless victim lay covered in tree leaves,” he said.
The child’s body was later conveyed to Kyenjojo Hospital for a post-mortem examination.
Kituuma said the incident raises concerns about child supervision and community responsibility.
“Yes, we managed to arrest the suspects, and considering that they participated and led us to the recovery of the remains of the victim strongly implicates them. But the strongest message here is how a child of seven years would end up in a bar at 9pm. These are the things we want to strongly communicate to communities because now this is a life that has been lost,” Kituuma said.
He added that although police would ensure the suspects face justice, the loss of the child’s life cannot be reversed urging parents and community leaders to be more vigilant especially when it comes to children’s safety.
“We are going to punish the suspects, but we are not going to recover the life of the seven-year-old victim. Parents have very serious work here, and community leaders too. This victim essentially lost his life because some adults here and there did not do their work,” Kituuma added.
Police said investigations into the matter are ongoing.
