Mother’s rescue attempt too late to save the life of neglected child

Jan 23, 2002

Margaret Nakkazi took her child from the abusive step-family, but the damage was too severe

By Charity OkalebboIf I were a man wooing a woman I would tell her I love you with a mother’s love, because a mother’s love is dependable. Four-year-old Prossy Nansubuga met her death on Friday, January 18, at Mwana Mugimu Children’s ward in Mulago hospital, where she had spent six days without proper treatment because her mother was short of finances.Prossy Nansubuga cried as soon as she saw anyone other than her mother nearing her hospital bed. If it were not for Nansubuga’s brave mother, she would not have lived for an extra six days.The beautiful light skinned girl had swollen limbs and had suffered at the hands of her father and stepmother for one month and two weeks.Four-year-old Prossy Nansubuga is one of the many unlucky children who have faced death because of her negligent parents. Her parents denied her food and health care for one month and two weeks. “I got to know my child was in a bad state through rumours,” mourns Margaret Nakkazi the deceased’s mother.“The LDU of Kyebando sent me a woman to tell me that I needed to fetch my child from her father because she was in a pathetic situation.“The woman who was sent to me said my daughter was very sick and was swollen in most parts of her body.“Thirdly, the woman said my child had been locked up in a room without medical care or food. “As if that was not bad enough, my child was being beaten every day. So on Sunday, January 6, 2002 I set off for the Police in Kanyanya.“I reported the case and asked for a police official to go with me to my ex-husband but the Police declined to go with me and instead told me to go and look for an LC. I found the LC of Erisa, Barbara Nakazibwe, and together we went to find my child.“When we got to Ronald Mawande’s home in Kyebando Erisa zone, we asked Mawande’s present wife where Nansubuga was. The stepmother answered ‘The child is sleeping.’“However the LC insisted that we needed to see the child. After two minutes, the child was brought out. “My daughter was putting on a very dirty dress that was full of (excrement) because she hardly had strength to clean herself,” laments Nakkazi.From the home, the LC and Nakkazi plus the child set off for the Police in Kanyanya and reported the case.By this time, Ronald Mawande, the father to Nansubuga was already on the run.After the Police the girl was rushed to Mwana Mugimu in Mulago, where she has lived for six days without the father’s help. The nurse in charge of the children ward Nakalungi Farida believed the child would improve if she was given enough to eat.“The child’s feeding rate is low and yet she needs good nutrition as well as rest so as to improve.” She says.“Her father picked her from me three months ago, and took her to live in his home with a stepmother,” Nakkazi adds bitterly. However, the father of Nansubuga denied these charges and claims that by the time his daughter was dropped at his place, she was already sick. “I started taking her for treatment at a clinic in Kyebando because of the state in which she was,” says Mawande.The Police have a different story all together. They say Nansubuga’s father and mother have been having a wrangle for three years, so they cannot be sure who of the two is telling the truth. Because of this Mawande has been released on police bond. “We shall take statements and investigate the case. If there is enough evidence to pin the man he will be arrested,” says the officer in charge of Kanyanya. The case is recorded under reference 15/06/01/2002. The Police revealed that Mawande resurfaced on Wednesday, January 9, 2002. On arrival at his home, this is what he said, “They were boasting that they have paid money so that they could imprison me. But a rich man never fails,” claims Nakkazi. She suspects her ex-husband bribed the Police to let him off the hook.“I have gone to Police twice to find out what is happening, but each time I get there I am told the policeman who recorded my case is not around,” she adds. “The Police at times tell me they are dealing with the election mess so they cannot waste time on such a minor case like mine. Honestly, an innocent child is suffering and the Police cannot see this,” Nakkazi sadly says. The LC of Kyebando confirmed reports that Mawande has since been left to go free.Nakkazi says, “I had four children with Mawande and we separated because the man used to beat me everyday.”Nansubuga’s brothers and sisters are also not so comfortable.They are beaten from time to time and occasionally they run and spend up to three days at the LDU’s place. However, even the days when the children go missing, their parents never bother to look for them.Mawande, a drunkard, pledged to kill his ex-wife if she ever steps in his home again.As the Police investigates, Mawande walks free and little Nansubuga heads for the ground.

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