Rwanda National Police has condemned acts of child abuse, including infanticide, and called on the public to protect children from such inhuman acts.

Although cases of infanticide are rare, Police reminded the public that they are punishable with a life sentence under article 143 of the Penal Code.

The reminder comes in the wake of a case in Nyanza District where a mother allegedly poisoned and killed her two-year son following misunderstandings with her husband.

The suspect, Jacqueline Tuyisenge, who is currently in Police custody, claims her husband had always tormented her saying he was not the biological father of the child and she decided to poison the boy, apparently to ‘‘please’’ the husband.

The incident happened on the night of August 5, in Kibirizi cell of Nyagisozi Sector.

Tuyisenge is currently held at Nyagisozi police station while the body was taken to the hospital for postmortem.

Reacting to the incident, the Southern Region Police Spokesperson, Inspector of Police, Emmanuel Kayigi, said "this is a rare and inhuman act...it’s the worst crime committed against a child, which shouldn’t be tolerated in Rwanda.”

"We should not let children fall victim of any misunderstandings. There are several ways through which young mothers can be helped. If there are signs of violence in a family, we urge neighbours to always report that immediately to prevent such acts,” Kayigi said.

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