There is shock in Mwitanzigye West LC One in Mwitanzigye Sub-County, Kakumiro District, following the discovery of the body of a one-and-a-half-year-old child dumped in a pit latrine at United Christian Center Church. The deceased has been identified as Aliana Mumbejja, daughter of Alex Namanya and Anita Amutuhaire.
According to residents, the child went missing on Tuesday morning after leaving home to play with other children near the church premises. Later in the day, fellow children reportedly informed the parents that Aliana had allegedly fallen into a pit latrine at the church, which is led by Pastor Farouk. Residents say the matter was reported to the pastor, but initial attempts to inspect and retrieve the child from the latrine were unsuccessful.
The child’s body was later recovered, reportedly naked and bearing visible cuts and wounds, raising suspicion among community members. Tensions escalated as some residents accused the church leader of involvement in the child’s death, with angry locals attempting to torch the church before police intervened to restore calm.
Speaking to the press, the grieving parents appealed to the government and security agencies to carry out thorough investigations to ensure justice is served. Anita Amutuhaire, the mother, said her child may have been deliberately dumped in the pit latrine.
The LC One Chairperson of Mwitanzigye West Village, Sharif Kabagambe, condemned the incident and urged residents to remain calm while investigations continue. Meanwhile, the LC Two Chairperson of Mwitanzigye Parish, Silverio Twesigye Bategana, cautioned residents against mob justice after some people reportedly began dismantling the church.
He called for cooperation with security agencies to allow the law to take its course. Bategana revealed that Pastor Farouk initially fled the scene but later voluntarily surrendered to police at Mwitanzigye Police Post.
Police in Kakumiro District have since confirmed the arrest of Pastor Farouk in connection with the incident. SP Otabongo David, the Kakumiro District Police Commander, said the suspect was later transferred to Kakumiro Police Central Station, where he is currently detained to assist with investigations. Police reports indicate that inquiries are ongoing, and allegations linking the pastor to the child’s death are still being examined.
By the time this story was published, the police had visited the scene, a postmortem examination had been conducted, and burial arrangements for the deceased child had been completed.
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