Kira Magistrate’s Court has sentenced 37-year-old Precious Tumuhirwe to 40 years in prison for torturing a 4-year-old girl in her care.
The decision, delivered by Magistrate Shallon Niwaha on Friday, sends a strong warning to perpetrators of domestic violence and child abuse across the country.
The sentencing follows Tumuhirwe’s guilty plea to the December 26, 2024, incident in Bweyogerere, Kira Municipality, where she severely tortured the child, leaving her with life-threatening injuries. The victim’s father, Michael Mwesigwa, received a frantic call from neighbors late at night, alerting him to the abuse.
Despite their intervention, Tumuhirwe refused to open the door, forcing Mwesigwa to return home, where he found his daughter injured and lying helpless on the floor.
During the court session, Magistrate Niwaha highlighted the gravity of Tumuhirwe’s actions, describing them as a gross betrayal of trust. “You were entrusted with the safety of this child, yet you inflicted unimaginable pain on her,” she said, adding that the emotional and physical scars inflicted on the victim and her family would last a lifetime.
The magistrate acknowledged Tumuhirwe’s apology and her role as a single mother of an 8-year-old child but emphasized that these factors could not outweigh the severity of her crime. “Your actions reflect a heart devoid of empathy and humanity—a heart I can only describe as rotten and wild,” Niwaha stated.
The court expressed concern over the rising cases of child abuse in Uganda despite ongoing campaigns by human rights organizations. “The prevalence of torture and abuse in our communities is alarming. This court must send a message that such acts will not be tolerated,” Niwaha declared.
The victim, who was rushed to Nsambya Hospital in critical condition, continues to recover physically, but the emotional trauma for both the child and her family lingers. The child’s parents, estranged at the time of the incident, have expressed relief at the court’s decision, with Mwesigwa noting, “This judgment brings some solace to our family. No child should endure such pain.”
The case has reignited conversations about child protection and the need for stricter vetting processes for domestic workers. Activists are urging parents to remain vigilant and for the government to enhance policies that protect children from abuse.
Tumuhirwe’s sentencing stands as a reminder that the courts will prioritize the welfare of children and seek justice for victims of abuse, reinforcing Uganda’s resolve to safeguard the rights of its most vulnerable citizens.
