Maid in child torture video sentenced to 40 years in jail

Wakiso, (UG);- The Kira Magistrates Court Friday convicted and sentenced Tumuheirwe Precious to spend 40 years in prison after she pleaded guilty to the charges of aggravated torture of a four-year-old juvenile.

Tumuheirwe, 35, appeared in a horrific viral video last month where she appeared torturing a 4-year-old girl in her boss’ house on the night of December 27 in Kikoko Zone, Kirinya Division in Kira Municipality.

Despite her initial flea to Kabale, she was subsequently arrested and transported to Wakiso last Sunday until today when she appeared before the Chief Magistrate on the afternoon.

After her arrest last week, Tumuhirwe had initially claimed that the child fell on her own and that she had not beaten the child even after she was captured on CCTV camera brutalising the child.

But today, when she was arraigned before the Chief Magistrate, Her Worship Shallon Niwaha, Tumuheirwe pleaded guilty, got convicted and sentenced to 40 years imprisonment.

“Tumuheirwe precious has today the 3rd January 2025 been arraigned in Kira Magistrates Court before Chief Magistrate, Her Worship Shallon Niwaha on charges of Aggravated Torture of baby Claire aged 4 years. She pleaded guilty, was convicted and sentenced to 40 years imprisonment,” Ms Maureen Atuhaire, the Commissioner Child and Family Protection Department at Uganda Police Force confirmed on Friday evening.

State prosecution, led by Ms Cate Basuuta, earlier told the court to impose a maximum and deterrent punishment, citing the gravity of the offence and its breach of international human rights laws.

“Although no criminal record is known about the convict, the court should give a grave punishment for torturing an innocent 4-year-old child. The offence is serious and carries a maximum penalty of imprisonment for life,” Ms Basuuta submitted. 

She further emphasised that Tumuhirwe’s conduct was planned, and she showed no remorse for her actions, refusing to help neighbours carry the victim to the hospital and instead fleeing the scene.

“The conduct was planned, she locked the door and even when the neighbours knocked, she refused to open the door. The victim was unable to escape or defend herself due to her age and dependency on the convict, which amplifies the brutality of the offence,” Ms Basuuta added.

In contrast, the defence lawyer, Ms Hellen Namutamba, pleaded for a lenient sentence, highlighting that Tumuhirwe is a first-time offender who pleaded guilty without wasting the court’s time. She also noted that Tumuhirwe is a mother and breadwinner to her eight-year-old daughter, whom she had come to support in Kampala.

“Your worship, the convict, while in police custody, apologised to the father of the victim, thereby seeking forgiveness and showing remorse and regret for her behaviour and willingness to reform,” Ms Namutamba told the court.

The court heard that the victim was discharged from the hospital yesterday but is still exhibiting changes in behaviour, including taking long to respond when spoken to, limping, and refusing to leave the car, fearing her tormentor was still inside the house.