By Hunter FM radio Reporter.

MITOOMA - UGANDA: A 45-year-old woman, Juliet Tushabeomwe, has been arrested and charged with attempted murder after allegedly forcing her eight-year-old stepson to swallow 46 needles in Mitooma District, Uganda.

The incident came to light when the child, who had been living with his stepmother, began experiencing severe abdominal pain. Medical examinations at Gava Imaging Centre and Ishaka Adventist Hospital revealed metallic objects in the child's stomach, prompting his referral to Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital for specialised treatment.

According to police reports, the child had been forced to swallow the needles, which were wrapped in paper, about two weeks prior to his admission to hospital. The child's father, Twinomugisha Simon, alleges that tensions in the home had escalated due to the suspect's disapproval of the child's communication with his biological mother.

The Greater Bushenyi Sub-region Police Commander, Godfrey Achiria, confirmed the arrest and stated that investigations are ongoing. The Mitooma District Deputy Resident District Commissioner, Umar Muhanguzi, has condemned the alleged act of violence against the child and urged the public to report suspected cases of child abuse promptly.

The child is currently receiving treatment at Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital and is expected to undergo further procedures depending on his recovery.