Torture maid case changed to assault

By Michael Odeng

The Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) has amended the charge sheet and preferred assault charges against a maid who tortured an 18-month-old baby.

Jolly Tumuhiirwe, 22, on Friday appeared before Buganda Road Chief Magistrate’s Court. She was further remanded to Luzira Prison and she will re-appear in court for sentencing on Monday next week.

Tumuhiirwe was captured in a video that went viral battering a helpless toddler – Aneela. She had earlier on Monday pleaded guilty to torture charges.

Earlier this week, she appeared before City Hall Court presided over by Grade One Magistrate Moses Nabende and admitted torturing the baby, daughter of Eric Kamanzi at the residence of her employer in Kampala.

When she showed up in court on Monday, Tumuhiirwe who was clad in a floral lemon-green top with a black-stripped skirt and looked rather calm, appealed to the parents of the child, the court and the general public for forgiveness.

She also apologized for her action and admitted she did not know what had gotten to her to attack the child at the time.

 "I accept the offence, but I beg court and every person to forgive me for what I did," she said in a fully-packed court after the charges where read to her and had confirmed that she had understood them.