Court in Masaka has sentenced a 34-year-old woman to 35 years in prison for feeding her neighbor’s child with feces and urine.
Stella Namwanje, a resident of Binyonyi A, Nyendo-Mukungwe Division, Masaka City, was caught on video committing the act, which led to her arrest after neighbors reported the incident.
Prosecutor George Kalinaki informed the court that the disturbing video, recorded on November 4, showed Namwanje feeding the child fecal matter. Subsequent medical examinations revealed a healing wound on the child’s left eye, suggesting the abuse went beyond what was captured in the video. Authorities also confirmed that Namwanje tested positive for HIV.
Appearing in court, Namwanje pleaded guilty, expressing remorse and asking for leniency. “I don’t know what came over me. I ask for forgiveness and a sentence reflecting my actions,” she told the court.
However, Chief Magistrate Aloysius Natwijuka condemned her actions as “grave and barbaric,” underscoring the need to protect vulnerable children from similar abuse. Natwijuka emphasized that the 35-year prison term would serve as a warning to others, though he acknowledged her remorse as a first-time offender.
The mother of the young victim, Olivia Mbabazi, expressed dissatisfaction with the sentence, arguing it was too lenient. “The offender deserved a death sentence,” she told Monitor in a phone interview on Thursday.
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