Lady Kuku, a local artist and mother of five in Karamoja, has been remanded to Kotido Prison for allegedly neglecting her two-year-old son.
The artist, whose real name is Rose Mary Akol, was remanded by the Kotido Magistrate’s court on Friday following her arrest and two-day detention at Kotido Central police station.
According to local authorities, Lady Kuku allegedly abandoned her toddler in the care of a maid who is also a minor at Lomukura Cell, Central Division in Kotido municipality. The neglect reportedly followed her involvement in a new relationship with a man believed to be a Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) soldier attached to the 405 Brigade.
Community members claim that the artist had not returned home or checked on the child and the underage caretaker for over two months. Concerned neighbours tipped off authorities, leading to her arrest.
At the time of her arrest, the child was found hospitalized at Kotido hospital, suffering from acute malnutrition. Our reporter observed the boy in critical condition, with pale eyes, a sunken body, and under the care of another minor.
Rashid Katende, grade one magistrate presiding over the case, remanded Lady Kuku until Thursday, April 10, when she is expected to return to court for a hearing. The child is currently under the care of the child and family protection unit as he continues to receive treatment at the hospital.
