LUWERO, UGANDA: The Grade One Magistrate’s Court in Luwero has convicted Ms. Dorothy Nabulime who was last week arrested over aggravated torture of her two-year-old baby after a video of the incident went viral on social media.
Appearing before Grade one magistrate John Paul Obuya on Tuesday, Nabulime pleaded guilty of subjecting the toddler to cruel, inhuman treatment and bodily harm in contrary to Section 7(1) of the Prevention and Prohibition of Torture Act 2012.
State prosecution headed by Ms Peace Bashabe, the district chief state attorney, last week told court that Nabulime, a resident of Busula A Village, Katikamu Sub-county in Luwero District between May and September mistreated the child despite intervention from her neighbours and local council authorities.
“The neighbours got concerned after observing her cruel actions against the baby. She also received a warning from the Local Council office at Busula. The office advised residents to capture the evidence on video and forward it to higher authorities in case the suspect failed to honour the earlier warnings,” Ms Bashabe said.
The medical examination report revealed that the baby was indeed subjected to severe torture after she was found with physical injuries although the mother (Ms. Nabulime) was deemed to be in good mental health.
Appearing before the magistrate, Ms. Nabulime confessed to all the charges and asked for forgiveness, before pleading for a lenient punishment so that she could take care of her baby.
A deterrent sentence was requested for by the state prosecution to serve as a warning to other offenders.
“A mother is expected to be the first person to protect the child from any harm but your behaviour was different when you chose to harm and mistreat the baby,” the prosecution stated.
The court will deliver the sentence next Tuesday.
Police arrested the convict last weekend after a video of her beating the baby went viral across social media platforms.
The victim was handed over to a childcare centre in Luweero for temporary custody.
Ms Joyce Namigadde, the district probation officer, said the baby’s health is back to normal and he would be resettled according to guidelines that ensure protection of children’s lives.
A total of 14 domestic violence cases were reported to the district probation office between May and August.
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