Kampala, Uganda — Police in Kampala have launched a manhunt for a woman accused of scalding her four-year-old daughter with hot water after the child allegedly ate rice without permission.
The incident occurred on August 1, 2026, at K3 in Kyambogo, Nakawa Division. According to Kampala Metropolitan Police, the suspect — identified as Zabaki Maklean (also reported in some accounts as Maclean Zabaki or Zabachi Maklin) — is the biological mother of the victim.
Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson Racheal Kawala said preliminary investigations by officers from Jinja Road Division indicate that the mother poured hot water from a kettle on the child after accusing her of eating rice in her absence.
“Preliminary findings indicate that the four-year-old child was burnt with hot water from a kettle by her biological mother who accused her of eating rice in her absence,” Kawala stated.
The suspect fled the scene shortly after the alleged assault and remains at large. Police have intensified efforts to trace and arrest her.
Kawala strongly condemned the act, describing it as a case of child torture. She urged parents and guardians to discipline children without resorting to violence.
“Police condemns all forms of child abuse and torture. We urge guardians and parents to protect children and resolve disciplinary issues without resorting to violence,” she said.
Authorities have appealed to members of the public with any information that could lead to the suspect’s arrest to report to the nearest police station or contact the Uganda Police Force immediately.
The case adds to ongoing concerns about child abuse in Uganda. Police data from the previous year recorded hundreds of child torture and abuse cases nationwide, though overall numbers showed a slight decline in some reports.
As investigations continue, the condition of the injured child has not been publicly detailed by authorities at the time of writing. Police say the probe into the alleged child torture remains active.