The wife of Gen. Salim Saleh has taken over foster care of the 14-year-old girl from Bushenyi who fought off a 40-year-old man who attempted to defile her early this month.
Jovial Akandwanaho yesterday formalised the legal requirements, becoming the foster parent of the teenager who made headlines after she hit a herdsman who tried to defile her with a stone. He later died in hospital.
Local leaders, led by the district woman MP, Mary Karooro, yesterday handed over the orphaned girl to Mable Kyasimire, Jovial’s sister. The brief but emotional ceremony took place at the office of Bushenyi resident district commissioner John Gaston Maliro.
After her release from Police custody, the girl, only identified as Pamela, had been staying at the home of Gordon Arinda, the assistant CAO of Ruhinda.
Pamela, an orphan who was left with a 9-year-old brother after the death of their parents, was arrested for causing the death of Josephat Mpigika of Ruharambo, Kabira sub-county.
Kyasiimire signed a foster document on behalf of her sister before taking Pamela to her new home in Kampala.
Kyasimire, who said her sister was out of the country, said Pamela was free to visit her relatives who will also have access to her in the new home.
“Although we have taken over the care of this child, we shall be in touch with her relatives. I have a list here and their contacts,” Kyasiimire said as she displayed a notebook.
LC officials in Ruharambo, who secured a Police bond for Pamela, said the father died years ago while the mother passed away in April. None of her relatives had shown up to stand surety for her.
The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) later dropped the charges against the girl, saying she acted in self-defence. He described the force that the girl applied as “reasonable” considering her age and gender.
Maliro, while handing over the child yesterday, said the foster family had offered to give Pamela everything required by a child for a good future, including education.
“We have been waiting for the DPP’s decision and now that he has dropped the charges, the girl is a free citizen,” Maliro said. He added that Pamela had received counselling sessions in the past week.
Karooro said several individuals and organisations had offered to take care of Pamela but a committee of leaders in Bushenyi resolved that Saleh’s family met the conditions. She appealed to other good Samaritans to bring up Pamela’s brother.
