“My granddaughter is going through a lot of pain. She cannot even wash her clothes or feed herself,” Nabutono told court.
Police Probe Suspected Suicide of Mengo SS Student After Getting 19 Points
The Chief Magistrate’s Court in Kayunga District has sentenced a 38-year-old woman to seven years in prison after convicting her of burning a teenage girl’s fingers.
The convict, identified as Malitah Nyake, a resident of Kiyuuya Village in Busaana Town Council, was found guilty of assaulting her 17-year-old relative.
Court heard that on September 1, 2025, Nyake accused the teenager of stealing fish sauce before tying dry banana leaves around her fingers and setting them on fire, causing severe burns.
According to the victim’s grandmother, Deborah Nabutono, the girl continues to suffer the effects of the injuries and is unable to perform basic tasks.
“My granddaughter is going through a lot of pain. She cannot even wash her clothes or feed herself,” Nabutono told court.
The defense lawyer, Robert Nazami, asked the court for a lenient sentence, arguing that Nyake was a first-time offender and a mother with children who depend on her. He proposed a one-year sentence.
However, Chief Magistrate John Francis Kaggwa rejected the request and instead handed down a seven-year custodial sentence. Nyake will serve her term at Ntenjeru Government Prison and retains the right to appeal the ruling.
Kayunga District Probation Officer, Collines Kafeero, welcomed the sentence, describing it as fair given the severity of the injuries inflicted on the victim.
“As a secretary for women at her village, Nyake was responsible for protecting women and children, but she did the opposite. Let her serve the sentence so that she can learn a lesson,” Kafeero said.