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 the victim’s medical bills, pending judgment, saying her family had become financially handicapped.
