The Uganda Police Directorate of Criminal Investigations (CID) has finally arrested the woman identified in the child torture video that went viral last week.
CID Spokesperson Charles Twine confirmed the arrest identifying the suspect as Patience Uwimana, 25. Uwimana was recorded in the video hitting a child with a stick before thumping on the toddler’s neck.
Her actions according to police have been described as “aggravated child torture.” Twine added.
Twine says her case is to be handled by the Sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) department at the CID head quarters.
Uwimana according to the police CID, was recently released from Kisoro prison for attempted murder. She has been on the run since last week when the video went viral.
In the video, Uwimana is recorded while thrashing, kicking and stamping upon the head of an infant, who was helplessly whimpering in pain. The victim was identified as Alfred Ssebandeke.
The incident took place at Bwuuma zone, Kyazanga Town Council, Lwengo District.
Reports of child abuse have surged in Uganda since the schools were closed on March 24 to prevent the spread
Police data show that at least 1500 children are abused or tortured annually.
Viral videos of people’s children have led the government to hunt perpetrators and many of them have been successfully prosecuted.
In 2014, a maid, Jolly Tumuhiirwe, was recorded secretly while beating a toddler she was looking after. Police later arrested her. She was convicted and sentenced to four years in jail.
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