Police in Nakaseke district have arrested a woman accused of setting her 16-year-old niece on fire over allegations of stealing Shs 400,000.
The suspect, Selina Nalukwago, allegedly committed the horrific act against Bridget Akello on Thursday, March 13, around 6 pm at her residence in Kyondo village, Kapeeka sub-county.
According to Savannah Regional Police spokesperson Sam Twiineamazima, preliminary investigations indicate that Nalukwago believed Akello had stolen the money from her home.
In a fit of rage, Nalukwago reportedly bought paraffin, doused Akello, who, was fully dressed at the time and set her on fire inside a locked room. Neighbours, noticing smoke emanating from the house, forcibly opened the door.
They found Akello severely burned and immediately rushed her to a nearby clinic for initial treatment. Due to her critical condition, she was referred to Nakaseke General Hospital before being transferred to Kiruddu National Referral Hospital in Kampala.