Woman raped, infected with HIV

BY Emmanuel Luganda

A lower city court has committed a 22-year-old man to the High court for trial for allegedly raping and infecting a woman with HIV.

Richard Semanda, a resident of Namungona Zone 1 Rubaga division in Kampala, was on Wednesday denied bail and sent back to Luzira prison by Mwanga II court magistrate, Emmanuel Baguma, after he denied the charges.

“I am sending you back to Luzira because you committed capital offences that can only be heard by the High court,” said Baguma.

According to prosecutor, Sarah Akello, semanda allegedly raped Maria Goretti Nakavuma, a market vendor, and infected her with the deadly virus (HIV).

Court heard that on the fateful day, at around midnight Nakavuma, while on her way from work, met three men, including the accused (Semanda) who stopped her and asked for money and a mobile phone.
She (Nakavuma) reportedly told the trio that she did not have the money.

However, Semanda, a neighbor offered to accompany her home.

Unfortunately along the way, Semanda ordered Nakavuma to strip naked. When she refused, the accused forcefully stripped her and raped her.

After committing the offence, the accused fled. The victim reported the matter to Namungona police post the following morning.

While testifying as a second prosecution witness, Nakavuma’s sister, Grace Nakamatte, said she (Nakavuma) told her that she had been raped by Semanda, a neighbor.