Woman who lost baby to police 'brutality' demands sh170m

By Andante Okanya  

A woman has sued the Government demanding sh170.8m compensation for her baby whom she claims died  as a result of injuries inflicted on her by a police woman in August last year at Mulago Hospital in Kampala.

In a civil suit filed at the High Court in Kampala, Rose Nakaddu alleges that on August 28, a policewoman she identified as Florence Akumu, kicked her and she fell on her stomach. Nakaddu claims she was nine months at the time.  The Attorney General is listed as the defendant.

Through Lukwago and Company Advocates, Nakaddu states that her woes purportedly started when the police woman who was dispersing a crowd that ran in her (Nakaddu's) direction.

She asserts that Akumu held her by the neck and dragged her for a considerable distance. Nakaddu claims she was saved by good Samaritans who shoved the officer aside and took her to Wandegeya Police station to record a statement.

Nakaddu claims that upon reaching Wandegeya Police, with bleeding and swollen legs, she was told to return to Mulago Police post for a confirmation letter.

She contends that on September 2, she experienced labour pains, and was admitted to the hospital, where she delivered a baby with deformities. It later died.

"Upon examination by the nurse, it was discovered that the skin of the baby was full of puss and yellow water.

She was subsequently operated upon. It was discovered that the baby sac was folded and the umblical cord was rotten.

Nakaddu claims a postmortem was carried out by a one Dr Male Mutumba but she was never availed a copy. She also adds that she was examined by a police doctor but has never received a copy of the medical report.

Nakaddu contends that the police officer was acting in scope of her duty and that her purported negligent behaviour makes the Government liable.

The Attorney General is yet to respond to Nakaddu's allegations. A hearing date is yet to be fixed.