What you need to know:
- Following the discovery, the mother raised an alarm, attracting local residents who quickly mobilized and apprehended the suspect. Police units rushed to the scene to intervene and successfully rescued Zibwa from an angry mob that was attempting to lynch him.
Police in Namutumba District have arrested a 25-year-old man for the alleged murder of his three-year-old stepbrother in Bugali Village, Mpumiro Parish, Bulange Sub-county.
The suspect, identified as Halidi Zibwa, is currently in custody following the horrific incident that occurred on the morning of October 16, 2026.
According to police reports, the child’s mother, Joan Mukoda, was picking groundnuts in a garden in Bulyansala Village, Mpumiro Parish, at around 9:00 am, accompanied by her three-year-old son, Junior Tiba. The suspect approached the mother and took the toddler under the pretense of playing with him before disappearing into the surroundings.
Busoga East Police Spokesperson Michael Kasadha confirmed the details, stating that the suspect tricked the mother to carry out the attack.
“She was hoodwinked under the guise of playing with the little one, not knowing that he was on a deadly mission. It is really disheartening,” Kasadha said.
Kasadha explained that the mother grew anxious when Zibwa failed to return with the toddler after a considerable period, prompting her to launch a search. The search ended in tragedy when she discovered the toddler's lifeless body with his head severed.
Following the discovery, the mother raised an alarm, attracting local residents who quickly mobilized and apprehended the suspect. Police units rushed to the scene to intervene and successfully rescued Zibwa from an angry mob that was attempting to lynch him.
The Namutumba District Police Commander subsequently visited the crime scene to oversee preliminary investigations. The child’s body was recovered and transferred to the Nsinze Health Centre IV mortuary for a postmortem examination.
Preliminary police investigations reveal that the suspect is a known drug addict within the community.
Condemning the horrific act, Kasadha urged members of the public to remain watchful and report individuals abusing illegal substances to law enforcement authorities.
“We strongly condemn the act and urge parents to be vigilant about their children’s safety and to report drug abusers in their communities,” Kasadha said.