Father Allegedly Poisons Four Children in Kikuube, Three Dead, One Critical
A community in Ngogoma Village, Kinogozi Parish (Kikuube District, Uganda), is reeling after a tragic incident in which a father allegedly poisoned his four children. The suspect, Wilson Kiiza, a 45-year-old market vendor operating at Duhaga Roundabout in Hoima City, reportedly gathered his children in a banana plantation near his home in Buhimba Sub‑county and offered them what he claimed was cough medicine—a mixture of pink tablets dissolved in water—followed by soda. Moments later, they exhibited symptoms of severe poisoning.
Two children died on arrival at Hoima Regional Referral Hospital, and a third passed away later that night. The fourth child and the father himself remain hospitalized in critical condition after reportedly ingesting the same substance.
Community officials say Kiiza had divorced the children’s mother, who resides in Lusaka Cell, Hoima City East Division. The children—aged 14, 12, 8, and 5—had visited him during their school holiday, unaware the visit would end in catastrophe. Local leadership, including Village Secretary for Defense Wilson Isingoma and the LC1 chairperson, organized emergency support and transport. A survivor reportedly identified the drink as “medicine for a cough” just before collapsing.
Kiiza’s relatives have expressed shock and grief. His sister, Grace Nyakahara, explained he became ill shortly after collecting the children. His uncle, Sam Kahumuza, called the act “a betrayal of parenthood,” while neighbors urged improved mental health support and child protection systems in rural areas.
Police in the Albertine Region have confirmed a murder‑by‑poisoning investigation is underway. The three deceased children have already been laid to rest, while their sibling and father continue receiving treatment.
This tragedy has heightened urgency around grief support, family counselling, and protective measures for vulnerable children across Uganda.
