This month in eastern Uganda, a Muslim woman reportedly killed a Christian couple and accidentally caused the death of her own daughter with the same poison used against those who had led her to Christianity, according to sources.
Doreen Nairuba passed away on March 16 after consuming poisoned food prepared by Hanifa Hamiyat in Nabiganda town, Butaleja District, a local resident stated. She was six months pregnant at the time. Hamiyat’s 18-year-old daughter, Marriam Kapisa, also died the same day after unwittingly eating the meal meant for Nairuba and her husband, Jackson Wampula, who succumbed to the effects of poisoning the following day, March 17.
Nairuba had been discussing her Christian beliefs with Kapisa, who had recently completed her high school examinations and was awaiting results for college admission. According to locals, Hamiyat was furious that the couple had taken her daughter to a church service on March 17.
A Muslim neighbor observed the Christian couple leaving for church with Kapisa and later returning with her, and informed Hamiyat. She then asked the neighbor to inquire from her daughter about her whereabouts. Around 5:30 p.m., the neighbor met Kapisa, who revealed she had been at a church service. They returned to inform Hamiyat.
The neighbor reported, “The mother was very upset but refrained from causing a scene due to Ramadan.” During Ramadan, it’s customary for local Muslims to share food with others to break their fast, and at around 7 p.m., Hamiyat cooked a meal and sent Kapisa to deliver it to the Christian couple, unaware that her mother had laced the food with poison.
Once at Nairuba’s home, the three shared the meal, and shortly after Kapisa returned home, she complained of severe stomach pain, followed by vomiting. Hamiyat questioned her about the delay, and upon learning of Kapisa’s shared meal, she uttered, “Allah Karim [Generous Allah], I have killed myself,” as noted by a visitor who heard their cries for help.
Kapisa was rushed to a nearby hospital where she later died. About an hour later, Nairuba and Wampula began experiencing stomach pain and diarrhea, prompting them to call a neighbor for assistance. “When I arrived, they were in serious condition, and I took them to a nearby clinic for initial care before transferring them to a larger hospital,” the neighbor, who wished to remain anonymous for safety reasons, reported.
Nairuba died before reaching the hospital, and Wampula followed the next day, according to the same neighbor. Tests conducted on the uneaten food showed it contained a toxic substance responsible for the deaths of all three individuals.
Local authorities detained Hamiyat for questioning, where she confessed to poisoning the meal. She claimed she had not intended to kill her daughter, stating that her true intention was to harm the couple for bringing her daughter to church during Ramadan. She explained, “Our imam assured us that killing a kafir [infidel] earns a person a Jannah [paradise] called Firdausi, and I wanted that reward.”
As of now, Hamiyat is in police custody, with her hearing scheduled for Wednesday (April 2).
