Dorris Wamwoyo
HABARI DAILY I Kampala, Uganda I Medically speaking, a mother should be protective of her children, failure of which there will always be questions. Circumstances surrounding the mental condition of Dorris Wamwoyo, the 43-year-old Kenyan woman accused of killing her two daughters and attempting to murder her three other children, have taken centre stage following her formal appearance in court to answer eight criminal charges.
Wamwoyo was on November 13, 2026, brought from Butabika National Referral Mental Hospital and arraigned before the Makindye Chief Magistrate’s Court, where she was charged with two counts of murder, three counts of attempted murder, arson, malicious damage to property and attempted suicide.
Presiding Magistrate Aidah Nanjala ordered her remand to Luzira Prison until December 15, 2026, when the case will return to court for mention as police investigations continue.
Her appearance in court marked a significant development in the investigation into the August 20, 2026, tragedy at Kalungu-Godoz Village in Ggaba Parish, Makindye Division, Kampala, which left two children dead and allegedly exposed three others to life-threatening danger.
The accused is alleged to have killed her daughters, Khadija Daisy Traore and Danita Mariam Traore, in circumstances that shocked residents of Ggaba and attracted widespread public attention.
She is also accused of attempting to kill her other three children, identified as Delma Aisha Traore, Delani Zainabu Traore and Dalena Hawa Traore.
The three attempted murder charges arise from allegations that she tried to take the lives of the children during the same incident.
Eight charges presented before court
Apart from the five charges relating to the alleged deaths and attempted killings of the children, Wamwoyo faces two additional property-related charges.
These include arson, for allegedly setting fire to a dwelling house, and malicious damage to property, arising from the alleged destruction of a Toyota Hiace minibus belonging to Idris Traore.
The eighth charge is attempted suicide, with the prosecution alleging that Wamwoyo attempted to take her own life by stabbing herself.
The charges paint a picture of a deeply disturbing incident involving alleged violence against members of one family, destruction of property and an alleged attempt by the accused to end her own life.
However, the allegations remain subject to determination by the courts.
Why court declined to take her plea
During the proceedings, Magistrate Nanjala informed Wamwoyo that the Makindye Chief Magistrate’s Court lacked jurisdiction to take her plea because some of the offences she faces, particularly murder, are capital offences.
Under Uganda’s criminal justice system, murder cases are tried by the High Court after committal proceedings in the lower court.
Consequently, the magistrate could not proceed to take her plea to the murder charges or entertain a bail application, which would have to be pursued before the High Court.
The court subsequently ordered that she be remanded to Luzira Prison until December 15, 2026, when the matter is expected to return for mention.
The remand will allow police to continue investigations and prepare the case for the next stage of the judicial process.
From Butabika to court
Wamwoyo’s appearance followed her stay at Butabika National Referral Mental Hospital, from where she was brought to court to face the charges.
Her transfer from the mental health facility has also drawn attention to questions surrounding her mental condition at the time of the alleged incident and her fitness to participate in the criminal proceedings.
However, the available court information does not establish a medical diagnosis or provide details of any formal medical determination regarding her mental fitness.
The case is expected to attract further attention when it returns to court on December 15.
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