Nakivale: Child Returning from School Taken Away in a Vehicle, Later Found Dead
A tragic incident has caused deep sorrow in the Ruhoko area of Nakivale, Uganda, after a child believed to be between 10 and 13 years old was found dead, following several days of being searched for by his family.
Ruhoko is an area within Nakivale, which hosts a large number of refugees from different countries, including the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Information obtained by Minembwe Capital News (MCN) from residents of the area indicates that the child was travelling from Ruhoko to attend Kashojwa School.
According to testimonies provided to MCN, on Friday last week, the child encountered people travelling in a vehicle who told him that his father had sent them to take him.
The child reportedly entered the vehicle, and the individuals drove away with him. That same evening, his parents began searching for him, but they were unable to immediately determine where he had gone.
Several days later, on Tuesday of this week, the child’s body was found in the Kabazana area, near the boundary between Kabazana and Kibati.
People who provided the information said the child’s body was still dressed in the school uniform he had been wearing, but that his eyes and tongue had reportedly been removed.
One witness said the vehicle contained three people who encountered a group of schoolchildren. They reportedly approached one of the children and told him that his parent had sent them to take him.
According to the witness, the child immediately got into the vehicle, after which the individuals drove away with him.
Four days later, his body was reportedly recovered in the Kabazana area.
Residents Call for Increased Child Protection
The incident comes at a time when residents in parts of Nakivale say concerns are growing over children who go missing or encounter people who allegedly deceive them by using information about their parents.
One source who provided information about the incident urged parents to remain more vigilant and to teach their children never to go with strangers, particularly people who approach them claiming that they have been sent by their parents.
In his words, parents should pay close attention to their children and teach them never to enter vehicles belonging to people they do not know.
Others Reportedly Missing
Although this report focuses on this particular child, residents of Nakivale say that other children have also gone missing or encountered acts of violence in the area.
MCN has not yet obtained confirmed figures from security authorities showing the number of children who may have gone missing or been killed in similar circumstances.
Parents and teachers are therefore urged to continue paying close attention to children’s safety, particularly when they are travelling to or returning from school, and to report to the relevant authorities whenever they encounter anyone suspected of attempting to deceive or abduct a child.
According to the information provided to MCN, the child who was killed in this incident was a refugee and a Rwandan national who had arrived in Uganda a long time ago.
Minembwe Capital News (MCN)
