KWANIA, UGANDA: The High Court in Apac has sentenced a woman in Kwania district to 15 years in jail after she pleaded guilty of killing 2-year-old baby over food.
Winny Alwedo,24, a resident of Acambu Village in Kwania District told court that she killed Daniel Okot, a neighbour’s child, and asked the court to give her a lenient sentence because she is a first-time offender.
Ms Alwedo said she was overpowered by anger. “I am so sorry for the crime I committed. I’m requesting this honourable court to forgive me and give me a fair punishment so that when I go out, I will advocate for the rights of children,” she said.
State prosecution led by Mr Ivan Johnathan Nandujji allege that on March 21, 2019, Alwedo returned from the garden and found that the deceased with her sister had already eaten the food. She then inserted the children’s hands into the boiling beans and they sustained injuries which eventually caused Okot’s death.
Lira High Court resident judge, Justice Duncan Gaswaga, then sentenced her to 15 years imprisonment.
Meanwhile, Walter Ekweny, 26, a resident of Abedi A Village, Chegere Sub County in Apac District, was also sentenced to 15 years imprisonment for killing his biological son over theft of food from the house of their neighbour. The incident happened on June 7, 2019 at Abedi Village.
“I have five children at home whom I should go back and take care of. I am requesting this court to forgive me and when I get out, I will teach other parents how to take care of their children,” he said.
These two cases are among 26 cases that have been disposed of during a plea bargain mini High Court session held in Apac District and presided over by the Lira High Court Residence Judge on Wednesday. Of these cases, 5 are murder, one man slaughter, one obstructing a police officer on duty, and 19 are defilement cases.
Currently, the Chief Magistrate’s Court in Apac has a total of 144 cases awaiting a hearing.
Additional Reporting by Monitor
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