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Uganda maid admits torturing toddler after secret filming | Uganda maid admits torturing toddler after secret filming |
(about 1 hour later) | |
A maid in Uganda who was secretly filmed beating and kicking a toddler has pleaded guilty to torture. | A maid in Uganda who was secretly filmed beating and kicking a toddler has pleaded guilty to torture. |
Jolly Tumuhirwe, 22, was charged in court with the torture of a girl of 18 months. A video of the assault caused outrage when it was posted online. | Jolly Tumuhirwe, 22, was charged in court with the torture of a girl of 18 months. A video of the assault caused outrage when it was posted online. |
The child's father, Eric Kamanzi, had installed a camera in his home after noticing his daughter was bruised and limping. | The child's father, Eric Kamanzi, had installed a camera in his home after noticing his daughter was bruised and limping. |
Ms Tumuhirwe asked the court, the parents and Ugandans to forgive her. | Ms Tumuhirwe asked the court, the parents and Ugandans to forgive her. |
The graphic footage, which is taken from a camera hidden in the corner of the living room, shows Ms Tumuhirwe hitting the child when she resists feeding and then throwing her to the floor, beating her with a torch before stepping on her and kicking her. | The graphic footage, which is taken from a camera hidden in the corner of the living room, shows Ms Tumuhirwe hitting the child when she resists feeding and then throwing her to the floor, beating her with a torch before stepping on her and kicking her. |
No lawyer | No lawyer |
The footage of the abuse, which was not shown in court on Monday, has been seen or shared thousands of times on social media. | |
After capturing the violence on film, the girl's father reported the incident to police on 13 November. | After capturing the violence on film, the girl's father reported the incident to police on 13 November. |
Ms Tumuhirwe, who was not represented by a lawyer in court, now faces up to 15 years in prison for the crime or a fine of about $400 (£260) or both. | Ms Tumuhirwe, who was not represented by a lawyer in court, now faces up to 15 years in prison for the crime or a fine of about $400 (£260) or both. |
One of Uganda's leading advocates offered to represent her but the magistrate denied his request saying he had not formally notified the court. | One of Uganda's leading advocates offered to represent her but the magistrate denied his request saying he had not formally notified the court. |
The BBC's Patience Atuhaire in the capital, Kampala, says the toddler's father broke down in court when the maid said she was sorry. | The BBC's Patience Atuhaire in the capital, Kampala, says the toddler's father broke down in court when the maid said she was sorry. |
The magistrate granted the state attorney's request for an adjournment of two days so that she could gather more facts on the case. | The magistrate granted the state attorney's request for an adjournment of two days so that she could gather more facts on the case. |
After the public outrage that followed the video, police had issued a statement saying the charge of torture would be amended to attempted murder. | After the public outrage that followed the video, police had issued a statement saying the charge of torture would be amended to attempted murder. |
But the directorate of public prosecutions was quoted in local media on Monday as saying that investigations were still on-going and the charge remained torture under the Anti-Torture Act. | But the directorate of public prosecutions was quoted in local media on Monday as saying that investigations were still on-going and the charge remained torture under the Anti-Torture Act. |
Our reporter says the courtroom was packed and people were running and craning their necks to have a good look at Ms Tumuhirwe as she was led away by prison officers after the session. | Our reporter says the courtroom was packed and people were running and craning their necks to have a good look at Ms Tumuhirwe as she was led away by prison officers after the session. |