Amos Betungura, a former pastor, has claimed to be the biological father of the 17 children, aged between 1-6 years that were recovered from Nkoowe village, Kaliti parish in Mende sub-county in Wakiso.
Over the weekend, the police arrested two women who were transporting the children to Mbarara district. The children were found with bruises and police suspect that they were being tortured.
So far 6 suspects are in custody and these include; Amos Betungura, Nayebare Carolina, Ashaba Dina, Tusasirwe Betty, Komuhangi Junick and Loy.
According to the police, Betungura claimed to be the father of the 17 children.
“During the interrogation, the suspect admitted that due to marital problems and additional challenges from his pastoral work, after his church was closed during the first COVID lockdown, he decided to place his children under the care of some of his relatives, after failing to provide for them in terms of feeding, school, medication and clothing among others,” said the police.
The police further revealed that exhibits of broken sticks, burnt plastics, clothes and beddings were recovered from the rented premises at Nkoowe village.
Also, the police have obtained samples of DNA Betungura, to determine whether they match the children.
“If we establish that he gave false and misleading information to the police to protect himself or someone else, we shall charge him, with giving false information and obstruction of justice.
But if it is established that he is truly the biological father, to the 17 children, we shall charge him with failure to provide basic necessities to his children and their mothers,” said the police.