A 16-year-old senior two student in Bududa District, Uganda, has narrated how she was waylaid and attacked by a machete wielding man who cut off her hand after she resisted his attempt to rape her.
Evelyn Namasopo told Mbale Chief Magistrate, Mr James Mawanda, during a session at Bubulo Magistrate’s Court in Manafwa District on Wednesday, April 7, that the suspect Derrick Kuloba, 25, attacked her near a forest on her way home to pick beddings and food for her sick mother who had been admitted.
“He (Kuloba) started ordering me to undress and when I refused he pulled out a machete and started cutting me. He wanted to cut my head but I tried to guard it with my right hand,” she told court during hearing of a case in which Kuloba is accused of attempted murder.
Evelyn said she made an alarm hoping to get help but in vain, adding that she’s still experiencing a lot of pain.
The victim accused police and Mbale Court of trying to frustrate her case because Kuloba was released under unclear circumstances a few days after his arrest.
“I need justice from this court because I’m now disabled. I’m not able to do any day-to-day activities like I used to. I can’t even write,” she explained.
Prosecution told court that Kuloba, a resident of Nabooti Village, Nakatsi Sub-County in Bududa District, on July 4, 2020 armed with a machete, waylaid the victim and attacked her before chopping off her right hand in a botched rape.
The girl also sustained several injuries on other parts of the body. Prosecution presented three witnesses; the victim, her cousin and uncle.
In her testimony, the girl further asked court to give Kuloba a harsh punishment.
The case was adjourned to April 8, 2021 when Prosecution is expected to present more witnesses in court.
Her mother, Ms Juliet Khainza said: “We had waited for this case to start but in vain. I want my daughter to get justice.”
Ms Khainza asked the suspect to foot her daughter’s medical bills, pending judgment, saying her family could nolonger afford her medication.
Ms Khainza asked the suspect to foot the victim’s medical bills, pending judgment, saying her family had become financially handicapped.
