Man on the Run After Pushing Son into Fire Over 500 Shillings

(Buyende) – A man from Uganda’s eastern district of Buyende is reportedly on the run after an alleged altercation with his six year old son, which led to the child suffering serious burns. The incident occurred on Thursday and has left the young boy, Moses Ngobi, hospitalized at Kamuli General Hospital in a neighbouring district.

The altercation reportedly began over a small amount of money — 500 Shillings — after Moses took the money from his father’s trousers to buy food. According to the child’s grandmother, Eva Nabirye, the boy had taken a UGX 20,000 note from his father’s trousers to buy a chapatti for UGX 500. The remaining UGX 19,500 was given to his mother, who had just given birth the day before. The mother informed the father about the transaction, which triggered a violent response from him.

Ivan Wambi, the 34 year old father, became enraged upon learning about the money and allegedly lashed out at his son. Nabirye described how Wambi beat Moses “like a chicken thief” before reportedly pushing him into a charcoal stove, where a kettle of hot water was sitting. The boy sustained severe burns on his face, hands, legs, and belly.

Following the incident, the local police were alerted, and a case of causing grievous bodily harm was filed against Wambi. Busoga North Police spokesperson, Michael Kasadha, condemned the father’s actions, stating that while discipline is necessary, such a violent reaction was inappropriate. He emphasized that the child should have been counseled, rather than punished physically, for taking the money.

Kasadha also pointed out that the district has been grappling with high rates of domestic violence, with 82 reported cases between January and June of this year. He called for parents to refrain from reacting impulsively and emotionally, especially in situations involving their children. The police are continuing to search for Wambi, who is currently evading arrest.