By Emmanuel Olinga
KATAKWI
Police at Katakwi Central Police Station are questioning a woman from Awanyagola village, Akoboi Sub County, Katakwi district, for allegedly leaving her 9-month-old child at home for 12 hours on a drinking spree.
The woman, Mary Akello, wife of Charles Emuron, a Boda-Boda rider from Awanyagola, was arrested on Monday, March 02, 2026, after her husband returned home to find his child crying at the hands of his mother at around 9:00 p.m. and the woman also returned at the same time, resulting in a family brawl that led to a fight and, eventually, her arrest. The woman’s reason for abandoning her infant is unknown, as she had previously disappeared at home for a week.
Simon Peter Okwakol, LCI chairperson of Awanyagola Village, confirmed the arrest and stated that the woman was transported to the Child and Family Protection Unit at Katakwi Central Police Station.
He encouraged women not to ignore the labor pains simply because of family disagreements, but rather to think about their infants’ lives in the face of domestic violence.
According to Okwakol, this is the fourth case heard in the LCI court involving women neglecting their children and fleeing.
Stella Icamude, one of the women in Asinge Village condemned the attitude stressing that it undermines the dignity of women.
Wilson Otage, a concerned citizen from Aleles condemned the act noting that such behavior causes infants to get illness such as ulcers because of starving.
He encouraged government to enhance punishments for such women, emphasizing that while every Ugandan has rights, the rights and regulations safeguarding women have led certain women astray.
