A 16-year-old Senior High School form 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, 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 the court during hearing of a case in which Mr Kuloba is accused of attempted murder.
She said she raised an alarm to get help but it was 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 suspect 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 day-to-day activities like I used to. I can’t even write,” she explained.
The prosecution told court that suspect 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. The prosecution presented three witnesses; the victim, her cousin and uncle.
In her testimony, the girl further asked the court to give suspect Kuloba a harsh punishment.
Her mother, Ms Juliet Khainza said: “We had waited for this case to start but in vain. I want my daughter to get justice.”
She also asked the suspect to foot her daughter’s medical bills, pending judgment, saying her family could no longer afford her medication.
Man in court for allegedly chopping off student’s hand for resisting rape
-
