Mother hacks two children before taking own life

children, leaving them with critical injuries, before taking her own life by ingesting poison.

The deceased has been identified as 32-year-old Rebecca Mula, a farmer and resident of Hahola village, Mulagi Parish, Busaba Sub-County, while the two children are 2-year-old Betani Baluka and 8-month-old Gabriella Namudumba.

The incident happened on Saturday evening in Hahola Village, Mulagi Parish, Busaba Sub-county, following a domestic dispute between the deceased and her husband, identified as Benjamin Wanamerie, a teacher at Busolwe Secondary School.

Preliminary police state that the woman was outraged by her husband, who left home for an unknown destination the previous evening, shortly after eating, only to turn up the next day.

Bukedi South Regional Police Spokesperson, IP Moses Mugwe, told this publication on Sunday that the deceased had earlier alerted her brother-in-law and threatened to harm the children.

"It is alleged that after the husband left for work, Rebecca Mula contacted her brother-in-law and threatened to harm the children and herself.’’

He adds that the deceased`s brother-in-law then notified the children`s grandmother, who rushed home only to find the children lying in pools of blood with deep cuts around the necks and their mother lying unconscious beside them.

The respondent made an alarm, which drew neighbours who rushed to the scene and rushed the victims to Busolwe Hospital. Mula died shortly on arrival, while the children are still under admission.

Mr Mugwe said a case of attempted murder and attempted suicide has been registered at Butaleja Police Station under CRB 150/2026.

The case was reported to the police and registered as attempted murder and attempted suicide under Butaleja CRB 150/2026.

"Officers from Busaba Sub-county Police Station visited the scene and recovered exhibits, including a blood-stained knife and clothes. Statements from witnesses have been recorded, and medical examination forms (PF3) issued, " he said.

Police say the couple had a history of domestic violence, which may have contributed to the incident.

A total of 710 cases of child abuse and torture were reported to the police in 2025, according to the Police Crime Report of 2025.

In 2024, a total of 787 were registered, giving a 9.7% decrease. The same report shows that Mityana district registered the highest cases of child abuse and torture with 115 cases, followed by Busia with 25, Jinja and Kaliro with 21 each, and Mubende with 16.

The police report further shows that a total of 12,361 cases of domestic violence were reported to the police in 2025, compared to 14,073 in 2024, reflecting a 12.2% decrease.

According to police, the leading causes of domestic violence were identified as disputes over family property, failure to provide for the family, drug and alcohol abuse, and infidelity.

A total of 12,361 persons were recorded as victims of domestic violence, consisting of 4,116 male adults, 7,520 female adults, 489 male juveniles and 236 female juveniles.