A 43-year-old Kenyan woman has been arrested after allegedly stabbing her five children in a pre-dawn attack at their home in Kalungu-Bunga, Makindye Division, Kampala, leaving two daughters dead and three others seriously injured.
The suspect, identified as Dorothy Namayo, is currently admitted to Mulago National Referral Hospital under police guard as detectives investigate the incident as a suspected murder, attempted murder and arson case.
According to Kampala Metropolitan Police Deputy Public Relations Officer ASP Luke Owoyesigyire, the attack occurred at about 4am on Thursday, August 20, when a housemaid was awakened by an alarm and desperate cries for help from the children inside the main house.
“The maid immediately opened the house and discovered several children with severe stab wounds,” Owoyesigyire said.
Police said Khadija Daizy, 14, was found dead in her bedroom, while her seven-year-old sister, Hawa Dalena, later died from her injuries at Nsambya Hospital.
Three other children, aged 13, eight and five, survived the attack and were rushed to hospital for treatment.
The suspect was also found injured at the scene and was taken to Mulago National Referral Hospital, where she remains under police guard as investigations continue.
Police said a Toyota Hiace parked at the residence was also set ablaze and completely destroyed. Officers from the Police Fire Prevention and Rescue Services responded and extinguished the fire, recovering a jerrycan suspected to have contained petrol as part of the evidence.
Owoyesigyire said officers from Kabalagala Police Division, homicide detectives, Scene of Crime officers and fire and rescue personnel processed the scene and collected exhibits for forensic examination.
The bodies of Khadija Daizy and Hawa Dalena were taken to Mulago City Mortuary for postmortem examinations.
Police have recorded statements from the housemaid and other witnesses as investigators work to establish the circumstances and motive behind the attack.
“The suspect remains under police guard as inquiries continue,” Owoyesigyire said.
