In This Article

  • Horrific Incident Unfolds
  • Victims' Condition
  • Family Background
  • Community Response
  • Police Action
  • Investigation and Next Steps

Key Takeaways

  • A Ugandan father allegedly poisoned his four children with crushed pink tablets mixed with soda, resulting in three deaths and one critical condition.
  • The suspect disguised the poison as 'cough medicine' during a visit with his children, who lived with their mother post-separation.
  • Police identified domestic violence as a key motivator and are treating the case as murder by poisoning.
  • Family members condemned the act, with the suspect’s uncle calling it an unjustifiable harm to 'future leaders.'
  • Authorities await the suspect’s recovery from a suicide attempt to conduct formal interrogations.

Authorities in Uganda's Kikuube District are investigating a disturbing case of alleged filicide after a father reportedly poisoned his four children during a family visit, resulting in three fatalities.

Horrific Incident Unfolds

The suspect, identified as Wilson Kiiza (45), allegedly administered a lethal mixture of crushed pink tablets and soda to his children aged 14, 12, 8, and 5 years on August 3. The children had traveled from Hoima City to visit their father at his rural home in Ngogoma Village.

"One child revealed their father had tricked them into taking 'cough medicine' before collapsing," said Wilson Isingoma, Village Secretary for Defence.

Victims' Condition

  • Two children died upon arrival at Hoima Regional Referral Hospital
  • Third child succumbed hours after admission
  • Fourth child remains in critical condition alongside the suspect, who attempted suicide

Family Background

The children's mother, Kiiza's ex-wife, had maintained contact despite their separation, regularly sending the children to visit their father. Kiiza worked as a market vendor at Duhaga Roundabout Market in Hoima West City Division.

Community Response

Family members expressed shock and condemnation of the act. Kiiza's uncle, Sam Kahumuza, stated: "This country has lost future leaders. No conflict justifies harming innocent children."

Police Action

Albertine Region Police spokesperson Julius Hakiza confirmed:
"We're treating this as murder by poisoning. Domestic violence appears to be a key motivator in this tragic event."

The deceased children were buried Monday as the community mourns. Authorities await Kiiza's recovery to conduct formal interrogations while continuing their investigation.

Tags:

#Domestic violence #Child Abuse #Uganda crime #poisoning #family tragedy