A two-year-old boy has died in Tororo District in a suspected poisoning incident, prompting police to arrest his mother as investigations into the circumstances surrounding his death continue.
The deceased, identified as Micheal Oloka, a resident of Machar West Zone, Mbula Parish, Petta Sub-county in Tororo District, died on Monday, June 1, 2026.Police say the child’s mother, Christine Adikini, 19, a housewife and bar attendant at Mulanda Trading Centre, has been arrested and is currently detained at Tororo Police Station to assist with investigations.
According to preliminary findings, the child had been living with his grandmother, Victoria Nyafwono, while his mother worked in Mulanda. Police allege that on May 31, Adikini returned home and reportedly quarreled with her mother over her movements before taking the child and leaving for an unknown location.
The following morning, the grandmother reportedly heard the child crying from one of the houses within the homestead. Upon checking, she found him in a weak condition, with foam coming from his mouth. He was rushed to Nagongera Health Centre IV, where he was pronounced dead on arrival. Police officers, including the Scene of Crime Officer (SOCO) team and homicide detectives, visited and documented the scene before recording statements from witnesses.
The body was later conveyed to Tororo Municipal Mortuary for a postmortem examination. Investigators say they are following leads indicating that the suspect had allegedly purchased rat poison from a nearby trading centre before the incident. A case has since been registered at Petta Sub-county Police Model Station and entered into the Tororo Central Registry Book (CRB).
Bukedi South Region Police Spokesperson Moses J. Mugwe condemned the incident, describing it as a violation of the fundamental right to life, and said investigations are ongoing. He added that further updates will be provided as inquiries progress. Police investigations are ongoing, and the suspect remains innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. URN