Police in Dokolo district have arrested Akello Sharon, 30, on suspicion of causing the death of her seven-year-old step-son.

The incident is alleged to have occurred on the night of August 16, 2026, at an unknown time, in Ongoceng Cell, Southern Ward, Bata town council, Dokolo district.

According to Superintendent of Police (SP) Jimmy Patrick Okema, PRO of North Kyoga Region, the matter was reported to police on August 17, 2026, by Ebong Paspiko, 52, a resident of the same area.

Preliminary findings indicate that Paspiko was alerted to the discovery of the boy’s body in the grass-thatched hut belonging to the suspect, Akello Sharon, by a man identified as Otim.

Otim further claimed that the suspect, who is the stepmother of the deceased, had slept in the same hut with the boy on the fateful night and is believed to have killed him.

SP Okema stated on Tuesday that the case had already been formally recorded at Bata Police Station to facilitate a thorough investigation.

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The crime scene was visited by the District Criminal Investigations Department (D/CID) Officer, the Scene of Crime Officer (SOCO), and a team of police officers from Bata Town Council Police Station. Witness statements were also recorded at the scene, SP Okema said.

Authorities have since recovered the body of the deceased, identified as Ajal Brian. The body has been conveyed to Dokolo Health Centre IV mortuary, pending a postmortem examination, with the requisite police forms (PF 48A and 48B) duly filed.

Meanwhile, Akello Sharon remains in police custody to aid in the ongoing investigation.

SP Okema noted that investigations are already underway to ensure justice for the young victim, adding that the case file will be compiled and submitted to the Resident State Attorney (RSA) for perusal and legal guidance.

The regional police PRO described the incident as “deeply unfortunate” and appealed for calm among the deceased’s relatives.

He urged the public to allow the investigation to proceed without interference to ensure justice prevails, also issuing a stern warning against taking the law into one’s own hands.