PRESS RELEASE
ANPPCAN Uganda Chapter appalled by the preposterous and laughable sentence given to a
woman, who inserted razor blades in a 2 week old baby’s private parts and later poured
blood clots in her mouth. We call upon the Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP) to appeal
the sentence.
Kampala: Thursday October 23rd, 2014
Introduction:
ANPPCAN Uganda Chapter is dismayed by the outrageous sentence given to one, Stella
Namuwonge, a resident of Nyendo Division, Masaka Municipality, for causing grievous bodily
harm to a toddler. On September 10th 2014, Namuwonge while in Nyendo, Masaka, inserted
broken razor blades in her 2 week old step daughter’s private parts and later poured blood clots
in the toddler’s mouth – in an apparent revenge spate with her co-wife.
The effect was so immense, that the child had to undergo several surgeries. The pain caused to
the child was so excruciating and unimaginable - exposing the child to the likelihood of both
immediate and long term reproductive health challenges, including the possibility of never
bearing children.
Whereas the Masaka Chief Magistrate considered a one-year stay on remand, being a bread
winner for her family and being a first time offender before sentencing Namuwonge, we believe
the one year sentence is not commensurate to the crime committed, pain suffered by the child,
medical costs incurred and the life-long consequences - as a result of her monstrous actions.
Although the child, now aged 1 year 3 months has undergone several minor surgeries, she is still
undergoing treatment at Mulago National Referral Hospital. “I am not satisfied with the
sentence, because I am still taking my child to hospital, the father doesn’t give me any help and
my business is struggling. I am completely helpless,” Lydia Namaganda the victim’s mother
noted yesterday. My child has difficulty while urinating and at her age, she cannot even crawl,
Namaganda further added rather sobbingly.
Uganda has been grappling with grotesque and savagery attacks against innocent children, hence
we believe that ludicrous sentences like this one only pass on the wrong message to perpetrators
of such heinous crimes.
“The message being put across by court is that one can torture a child causing grievous bodily
harm and go away with a very light sentence,” says Mr. Anslem Wandega, Executive Director of
ANPPCAN Uganda Chapter. In a society where morals are at an all-time low and the spirit of
community altruism already eroded, Courts of Law are seen as the only place of solace. My fear
is that sentences like this one leaves vulnerable citizens with nowhere to run to, Mr. Wandega
further opined.
The trend of physical abuse against children has been steadily on the rise, which is regrettable. A
study by ANPPCAN in 2012 revealed, atleast 80% of the children interviewed then, had suffered
physical abuse. Since 2013, ANPPCAN has registered 287 cases of physical abuse against
children – some hideous. Additionally, the Police Report1 for 2013 shows 1,332 cases of child
abuse and torture were reported.
Article 37 of the United Nations Conventions on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), obliges
states parties, including Uganda, to ensure that no child is subjected to torture, or other cruel,
inhuman or degrading treatment. Nationally, article 24 of the Constitution of the Republic of
Uganda states no person shall be subjected to any form of torture, inhuman or degrading
treatment or punishment.
Several other laws including the Children’s Act, Domestic Violence Act and Penal Code
Amendment Act, protect children from heartless and humiliating treatment. It’s therefore very
unfortunate, that despite all the good laws the country has enacted, child still suffer like this with nowhere to run.
The child’s medical costs have been astronomical, estimated to be over 1 million shillings. This
is a heavy burden to a single mother, who on top of caring for her sick child; she had to give up
her business. Lydia Namaganda also has other children to take care of. ANPPCAN has since last
year supported the victim to access medication at Mulago hospital. Since her business in Nyendo
Masaka had collapsed, we supported her with capital – to restart the business.
Way Forward
We call upon the Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP) to appeal the sentence. The innocent
child deserves much more; she deserves justice - not just a mockery. Deterrent sentences ought
to be passed; to dissuade other would be offenders.
As ANPPCAN followed up the case, it was often adjourned and witnesses reported to have
received threats from unknown people. These unnecessary delays added more strain on already
1
Police Annual Crime/Road Safety Report, 2013.
beleaguered mother – who had to incur more costs going to court. In future, such cases should be
handled expeditiously and witnesses should be protected. Citizens also ought to know that it’s a
civic responsibility to testify in court.
Incarcerating the perpetrator unfortunately doesn’t provide any form of restitution to the victim.
Like for the victim in this case, enormous resources have been spent on medical treatment.
Government should set guidelines, where victims are able to seek compensation from
perpetrators, in addition to serving their sentences.
Ever since this unfortunate tragedy happened, the victim’s father, Ali Kalumba, has not provided
any help to her daughter. Such irresponsible parents should be dealt with firmly by the law. Ali
Kalumba must be arrested and charged with child neglect.
Finally, we appreciate the media, which has persistently covered this case. By fulfilling your
cardinal role of informing the masses, we hope, many more children of Uganda will be saved
from abuse.
PRESS CONTACTS:
Marlon Agaba
Senior Program Officer, Information and Policy Advocacy
Tel: +256 414 254 550
Mobile: +256 776 866 527
Email: amarlon@anppcanug.org
NOTE TO THE EDITOR:
ANPPCAN, the African Network for the Prevention and Protection against Child Abuse and Neglect, is a Pan‐African
organization committed to addressing the problem of child abuse and neglect and promoting the rights of children
in Africa. With this mandate the organization was established in Uganda in 1992 and registered in 1995. ANPPCAN
Uganda Chapter protects and supports children from all forms of maltreatment by providing psychological support,
facilitating access to Justice, sensitizing and training on child protection issues, empowering children for selfprotection, researching and advocating for child friendly policies.
www.anppcanug.org "PROTECTING THE CHILDREN, SECURING THE FUTURE