Jolly-Maid from hell A Ugandan Chief Magistrates’ Court yesterday sentenced the 22-year-old maid, Jolly Tumuhiirwe, who abused an 18-month-old baby, to four years’ imprisonment.
She should have been given 10 years!
A video footage of Tumuhiirwe slapping, beating and stomping on the baby girl sparked global outrage after it was released.
On Friday, according to BBC News Africa, the maid told the court that the attack was revenge after she was beaten by the child’s mother. The mother, however, denied beating her. In Kampala yesterday, the Chief Magistrate, Lillian Buchan, told Tumuhiirwe 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 baby’s father, Mr Eric Kamanzi, installed a camera 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, 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 cannot just go to someone’s house and torture their baby and expect to walk out.”
According to Uganda’s New Vision newspaper Tumuhiirwe apologized to the parents of the child and to the general public, saying she did not know what came over her to commit such an inhumane act. Many people had thought that the maid was mentally disturbed to have tormented such a helpless child in a manner likely to kill her, but a psychiatric assessment established that Tumuhiirwe is of sane mind. Tumuhiirwe’s lawyer, Ladislaus Rwakafuuzi, said yesterday that the punishment was appropriate and he did not intend to appeal.
He said the court “spoke for many Ugandans”. A 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. The case has led to calls by some officials for the childminders to be certified before they can be employed. 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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