I am 'normal now', says rape victim

By Jeff Andrew Lule

The health status of a girl who was allegedly gang-raped by five Pakistani nationals from YUASA Motors Limited, is now normal.

Zainabu Mbabazi was discharged from Gender Based Violence (GBV) Coalition custody where she has been undergoing medical attention and rehabilitation since October last year.

She was also reunited by her father Patrick Kanyamuhanga, who received the medical report of his daughter.

Speaking to the press at ActionAid offices in Kansanga on Wednesday, Mbabazi said her condition has since improved.

“I am normal now. I feel no more pain and I no longer use pampers anymore. This is my happiest day of my life. I thank the media and all those who have been there for me,” she said, as tears streamed down her cheeks.

 While handing over the medical report to her father, Uganda Women’s Network’s (UWONET) Ritah Aciro Lakor said they are still following the case to have culprits brought to book.

But she declined to reveal the details of the report, saying it was only confidential to the victim (Mbabazi).

“She is in the right position to tell you herself since it is in her hands now,” she said.

Aciro said AAR and Mbarara hospital medical specialists supported her treatment and allowed her to be discharged after a significant improvement in her physical and psychological health.

ActionAid country director Henry Ogwal said Mbabazi also got psychosocial counseling, legal aid from FIDA, medical and entrepreneurs skills.

 “We are going to start for her a small business of her choice to manage her life,” he said.

FIDA legal officer Carol Shemeri said they are working with Police and the Director of Public Prosecutions to make sure other such suspects are arrested.

“We are going to follow her to make sure she is safe since the culprits are still at large. The case has failed to kick off due to the missing culprits,” she added.

The coalition asked government to strengthen immigration control and labour laws to protect Ugandans from being abused, and ensure maximum safety and security for survivors of gender-based violence.

ActionAid director of programs Harriet Gimbo said they have 3409 cases of sexual gender-based violence in 10 centers around the country.

“These centers have counselors, lawyers, security for the safety of the victims and child services. If there is a threat of insecurity, we keep the victims at the centres as we push for legal action,” she said.