Police in Lira District have arrested a 30-year-old woman suspected of murdering her seven-year-old stepdaughter in Agali Sub-county.
The suspect, identified as Awor Felister Ruth, was arrested following the death of the minor in Adyebongwen Village, Apanylongo Parish, on Friday, November 13, 2026.
According to North Kyoga Regional Police spokesperson Patrick Jimmy Okema, preliminary investigations indicate that the suspect allegedly subjected the child to repeated physical abuse before the incident.
Police said that on the day of the incident, at around 10am, the woman reportedly sent the girl to fetch water from a nearby water source using a jerrycan.
She allegedly followed the child shortly afterwards and, upon finding that the jerrycan had not yet been filled, assaulted her, strangled her and left her unconscious at the water source.
The child was reportedly bleeding from the nose and mouth when the suspect left the scene.
Police said the suspect later informed her husband, identified as Coda Kizito, 31, who subsequently reported the matter to Agali Sub-county Police Station. The case was later transferred to Lira District Central Police Station for further investigation.
Officers from the area police, Amach Town Council and a homicide team from Lira District Central Police Station visited and documented the scene with the assistance of Scenes of Crime Officers (SOCO). Statements were also recorded from relevant witnesses.
The deceased’s body was recovered and taken to Lira Regional Referral Hospital mortuary for a postmortem examination.
The suspect remains in police custody as investigations continue.
In a statement, Okema condemned violence against children, particularly abuse within family settings, and called on adults to protect minors under their care.
He said police would pursue the case to its logical conclusion to ensure justice for the deceased child.
Police have not yet disclosed the motive behind the alleged killing.