The Ugandan maid who
has been under going trial for assaulting a toddler has been sentenced to four
years in jail.
In a case which
sparked international outrage after a video was released of Jolly Tumuhirwe, 22, beating, kicking and
stamping on the 18-month-old child.
Chief Magistrate
Lillian Buchan told Tumuhirwe she had committed an "unjustifiable and
inexcusable" crime. She said the sentence
was appropriate in light of the "ruthlessness exhibited" on an
"innocent, helpless child".
The video footage,
which prompted the case, came from a camera the child's father, Eric Kamanzi,
had installed in his home after noticing his daughter was bruised and limping.
He reported the abuse
to police last month and circulated the video online to family members. The
footage was later shared more widely, provoking horror and upset internationally.
After the sentencing,
Mr Kamanzi said: "It's not for us to decide the punishment for what she
committed.
"We hope this
has set an example for other maids out there, that you can't just go to
someone's house and torture their baby and expect to walk out,".
Another family
member, Rose Zimulinda, said the child was physically well now but there were
likely to be longer term psychological consequences.
In Uganda, there is
no requirement for people paid to look after children to have qualifications.
Police have
recommended that parents do background checks with friends, neighbours, local
police, council and previous employers before taking on nannies or maids given
these responsibilities.
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