Luuka acid victim seeks sh5m for surgery

ACID ATTACK | JANE NAMAGANDA

A 24-year-old woman who was allegedly burnt with acid by her former lover is seeking sh5m to undergo surgery at Mulago Hospital.

Jane Namaganda, a resident of Kakumbi village, Bukanga sub-county in Luuka district, lost both her left ear and eye.

She says her former lover, bodaboda rider Wilbroad Owori, is responsible for her ordeal. The couple share a 4-year-old child.

Owori went missing after the incident ans has not been seen since.

She explained that they met in 2013 and began cohabiting at Kaitabawala in Mafubira sub-county, Jinja district. However, in May this year, she decided to leave Owori since he could no longer care for her and their daughter.

She opted to return to her maternal grandmother in Luuka district.

However, Namaganda says Owori kept pursuing her in Luuka pleading that she goes back to him.

PIC: Namaganda with her aunt

 PIC: Namaganda before the acid attack

She says that he would even spend a night whenever he visited her at her grandmother's home.

On the fateful day, Owori promised to send Namaganda transport fare to return home, but was surprised when he arrived in Luuka at midnight.

Namaganda narrates that Owori was armed with a 5 litre jerican, which contained the acid and a cup.

She says Owori first removed their daughter from Namaganda's bed, then began pouring acid on her using the cup. And then ran away.

The matter was reported at Nakabugu police.

The Luuka district CID, Benah Nandudu, accused family members of not being co-operative in apprehending the suspect.

According to the area resident district commissioner, Stephen Bewayo, family members declined to lead police where the suspect used to live.

"Police tried to call the family members, but they were not co-operative," Bewayo said.

However, Namaganda's paternal aunt Farida Balikitenda, said none of the family members knew the suspect apart from their daughter.

She was taken to Iganga Hospital from where, they were referred to Kiruddu Hospital.

The acid burnt her entire face beyond recognition on top of her left eye, chopping off one of her ears.

Her neck was also affected as she cannot turn it.

Her right eye can see with difficulty, but medics at Mulago Hospital are optimistic that she can regain her right sight once she undergoes surgery.

The surgery requires sh5m.

Namaganda takes only cold fluids such as juice, milk and fresh eggs on top of her monthly drugs, which cost sh500,000.

However, her aunt, Balikitenda a peasant, says they cannot not raise the money for surgery and that at times she misses treatment because the drugs are costly.

For any assistance you can extend to Namaganda, call 0779991099.