Eronda
JF-Expert Member
- Dec 16, 2025
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Police in Amolatar District have arrested a man and his wife after their five-year-old stepdaughter was allegedly subjected to severe abuse, including having dry grass tied to her hand and set on fire as punishment for allegedly stealing a Shs200 coin.
The incident happened on Monday in Epyel Cell, Epyel Ward, Amolatar Town Council, and attracted the attention of neighbours who alerted local authorities.
The suspects, Nickson Esongu and his wife, Dillish Akullu, the girl’s biological mother, are being detained at Amolatar Central Police Station as investigations continue.
The child, identified only as Prisca, is reportedly aged about five years.
Mr Esongu allegedly tied dry grass around the girl’s right hand and set it on fire at their home after accusing her of taking the Shs200 coin.
Mr Esongu told community members during his arrest that he had previously suspected the child of taking his money.
“Whenever I return home, I always find my money missing from where I had left it and if I ask her whether she is the one who has picked it, the child always denies,” Mr Esongu said.
He reportedly admitted setting the dry grass on fire after the child denied stealing the money.
Ms Akullu said her husband had repeatedly complained about money going missing from their home and that they had suspected the child, although she denied taking it.
“When he (Esongu) returned home on Monday, he found a coin of Shs200 missing from where he had kept it,” Ms Akullu said.
Daily Monitor
The incident happened on Monday in Epyel Cell, Epyel Ward, Amolatar Town Council, and attracted the attention of neighbours who alerted local authorities.
The suspects, Nickson Esongu and his wife, Dillish Akullu, the girl’s biological mother, are being detained at Amolatar Central Police Station as investigations continue.
The child, identified only as Prisca, is reportedly aged about five years.
Mr Esongu allegedly tied dry grass around the girl’s right hand and set it on fire at their home after accusing her of taking the Shs200 coin.
Mr Esongu told community members during his arrest that he had previously suspected the child of taking his money.
“Whenever I return home, I always find my money missing from where I had left it and if I ask her whether she is the one who has picked it, the child always denies,” Mr Esongu said.
He reportedly admitted setting the dry grass on fire after the child denied stealing the money.
Ms Akullu said her husband had repeatedly complained about money going missing from their home and that they had suspected the child, although she denied taking it.
“When he (Esongu) returned home on Monday, he found a coin of Shs200 missing from where he had kept it,” Ms Akullu said.
Daily Monitor
