Grief as a 7-month-old killed by a dog is laid to rest
By Davis Mugabi
There was grief on Saturday as mourners saw off a seven-month-old baby, Raphael Obuku.
The deceased was the son of Dr. and Mrs. Laeticia Ekii A. Obuku. Dr. Obuku is the younger brother of Dr. Ekwaro Obuku, the former President of the Uganda Medical Association (UMA).
On Monday, March 18, 2024, at approximately 10:00 a.m., a domesticated dog owned by Dr. Obuku managed to break free from its kennel.
“The dog violently attacked and bit to death Dr. Obuku’s baby boy, identified as Raphael,” said Entebbe Police Station.
This incident happened when the boy’s parents left him in the custody of the newly-recruited housemaid, Sharon Nuwarinda. The Obukus live in a family, situated in Canaan Estate, Mawugulu Cell, Katabi Town Council.
According to Nuwarinda, she positioned Raphael on the veranda of the house while she attended to her household chores, keeping a vigilant eye on him.
“Then I suddenly saw the dog coming to attack the boy,” she recalled.
“I rushed to pick him up. However, the dog grabbed the boy, and I tried to struggle with the dog, but it overpowered me and bit the boy badly.”
The dog also attacked the maid, biting her thigh. She raised an alarm persistently, and tragically, when the dog fatally injured the boy, it returned to its kennel.
The deceased’s body underwent initial examination at Kisubi Hospital before being transferred to Mulago National Referral Hospital for a post-mortem analysis.
The baby was laid to rest yesterday, Saturday, at Aboloneno Village, Loro, Oyam District.
“Gratitude to all those who supported our family walk this journey of pain, grief & celebration of Mr Raphael’s life, especially from the parents Dr & Mrs Laeticia Ekii OBUKU! To dust we shall all return!” said Dr. Ekwaro Obuku.
