Jealous woman imprisoned for life
Sep 23, 2008
A jealous woman, who poured acid on the face of another woman over a man, has lost her second appeal. The Court of Appeal on Monday ruled that the Mbarara trial magistrate was right to convict Syson Muganga of attempted murder and to sentence her to life imprisonment.
By Hillary Nsambu
and Nuliat Nakiwala
A jealous woman, who poured acid on the face of another woman over a man, has lost her second appeal. The Court of Appeal on Monday ruled that the Mbarara trial magistrate was right to convict Syson Muganga of attempted murder and to sentence her to life imprisonment.
The court also ruled that the High Court, as the first appellate court, was right to uphold the judgment of the trial magistrate.
The deputy Chief Justice, Laetitia Mukasa Kikonyogo, headed the three-justice panel. The other judges were Alice Mpagi Bahigeine and Constance Kategaya Byamugisha.
The deputy Registrar, Gladys Nakibuule Kisekka, read the ruling.
Muganga, a resident of Mbarara, was found guilty of pouring a corrosive substance on Prudence Kobujina, whom she suspected of having an affair with her husband.
“There is not the slightest doubt that the prosecution established its case beyond reasonable doubt and there is sufficient evidence that no miscarriage of justice has been detected,†the court ruled.
The manner in which such a lethal substance was handled and used by the attacker points to the intent to recklessly cause grievous bodily harm or death, the court said.
“We agree with the trial Chief Magistrate in her analysis of the evidence, on which her ruling of intent to commit murder was based,†the judges said.
The court also ruled that there was sufficient evidence to place the appellant at the scene of the crime.
The court observed that the substance that splashed back into the appellant’s face and left scars indicated that she was the one who poured the acid in the face of the victim.
The prosecution told the court that on July 28, 2001, Kobujina was at her house at Muntuyera High School at around 9:00pm, when a woman poured acid on her from a jug that was concealed in a polythene bag.
A night watchman, Wilson Byekwaso, told court that he had seen the appellant being dropped at the school gate by a bodaboda motorcyclist.
He saw her knocking at the victim’s door and soon after, he heard the victim crying out for help.
and Nuliat Nakiwala
A jealous woman, who poured acid on the face of another woman over a man, has lost her second appeal. The Court of Appeal on Monday ruled that the Mbarara trial magistrate was right to convict Syson Muganga of attempted murder and to sentence her to life imprisonment.
The court also ruled that the High Court, as the first appellate court, was right to uphold the judgment of the trial magistrate.
The deputy Chief Justice, Laetitia Mukasa Kikonyogo, headed the three-justice panel. The other judges were Alice Mpagi Bahigeine and Constance Kategaya Byamugisha.
The deputy Registrar, Gladys Nakibuule Kisekka, read the ruling.
Muganga, a resident of Mbarara, was found guilty of pouring a corrosive substance on Prudence Kobujina, whom she suspected of having an affair with her husband.
“There is not the slightest doubt that the prosecution established its case beyond reasonable doubt and there is sufficient evidence that no miscarriage of justice has been detected,†the court ruled.
The manner in which such a lethal substance was handled and used by the attacker points to the intent to recklessly cause grievous bodily harm or death, the court said.
“We agree with the trial Chief Magistrate in her analysis of the evidence, on which her ruling of intent to commit murder was based,†the judges said.
The court also ruled that there was sufficient evidence to place the appellant at the scene of the crime.
The court observed that the substance that splashed back into the appellant’s face and left scars indicated that she was the one who poured the acid in the face of the victim.
The prosecution told the court that on July 28, 2001, Kobujina was at her house at Muntuyera High School at around 9:00pm, when a woman poured acid on her from a jug that was concealed in a polythene bag.
A night watchman, Wilson Byekwaso, told court that he had seen the appellant being dropped at the school gate by a bodaboda motorcyclist.
He saw her knocking at the victim’s door and soon after, he heard the victim crying out for help.