A maid who was captured on video torturing a four-year-old child in Kampala has been sentenced to 40 years imprisonment by court.
In a video which has since gone viral on social media, Precious Tumuhirwe, 34 was captured torturing the toddler in an incident that is said to have happened in Kikoko Zone, Namataba Cell, Kirinya Ward, Kira Municipality, Wakiso District on the night of December, 27.
The maid fled the scene after committing the heinous crime.
She was arrested from Kabale.
On Friday, Tumuhirwe was arraigned before the Chief Magistrates Court in Kira in Wakiso district and charged with aggravated torture and causing grievous body harm to the four year old toddler.
Through her lawyer, Hellen Namutamba, she asked for a lenient sentence since this is her first time to commit such a crime.
She said she had apologized to the father of the victim and asked for forgiveness since she is a mother and sole bread winner of her eight year old daughter.
The state prosecutor, Cathy Basuuta asked court for a sentence that would deter other would be offenders from doing a similar thing.
She said the maid planned everything and to ensure no interruption, she even locked the door of the bathroom , noting that what was done to the four year old was brutal and traumatized him.
In her sentence, the trial chief magistrate, Shallon Niwaha said despite being a first time offender, the maid deserved a sentence that would deter others.
She said torture has devastating effects on human nature, adding that it is worse when it happens to children.
“For child victims of torture, everyday life becomes a never-ending nightmare that persists even in their dreams.In this case, the victim, a young child, suffered unimaginable physical and emotional pain at the hands of the convict. The evidence presented in court, including photographs, revealed the extent of the victim’s injuries, which included human teeth bites, wounds, and bloodstains,” the chief magistrate said.
“The convict’s actions demonstrated a clear lack of remorse and empathy. Despite the neighbors’ attempts to rescue the child, the convict continued to inflict pain and later disappeared from the scene. Her actions were premeditated, and her heart, as described, is of roughness, a wolf in a human body.”
She consequently sentenced her to 40 years imprisonment.
Maid in viral video torturing four-year-old toddler arrested
