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Torture Victim's Parents Receive Six Million Shillings to Settle Case

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20 Jan 2025 15:28
Hellen Judith Baliraine(in face mask) at Jinja magistrates court.
The case of aggravated torture against Hellen Judith Baliraine has taken a new turn after her lawyer broke news in court that they were having ongoing negotiations with the victim's family, and that six million Shillings has already been paid. 

Baliraine is accused of repeatedly subjecting her seven year old maid, Catherine Harriet Kisakye to grievous forms of torture.  Baliraine was arraigned before court in December and remanded to Kirinya prisons ever since.

Since the matter was involving a minor, it was presided over within the chief magistrates chamber for fear of exposure to the general public. 

Kisakye arrived at court in the company of two social workers from Upendo children's home, where she is being rehabilitated. 

The chief magistrate, Phiona Angura briefly interacted with Kisakye and her caretakers in her chambers, before opening the session to the rest of the parties. 

Moments later, Baliraine, who was clad in an African print dress and a face mask was brought to the chambers accompanied by three female prison warders. 

Angura opened the session by having takes from concerned citizens and activists, who are interested parties to the case, before opening up the floor to Baliraine's lawyer



The accused person's lawyer, Sharif Ssemaganda, said that there are ongoing sessions to have out of court settlements geared towards resolving the matter. 

Ssemaganda informed court that they had since given Kisakye's family six million Shillings as part of the settlement offer.

Ssemaganda argued that the six million Shillings was meant to help Kisakye's family rehabilitate her and support her complete recovery.

Ssemaganda further argued that Kisakye is only temporarily staying in the children's home for a short period of time and the money is only meant to support her welfare after being reunited with her family later on this year.

Both Angura and prosecution denied knowledge about ongoing negotiations, arguing that, they are ready to proceed with the case. 

However, this revelation did not go on well with the activists pushing for justice in this case who accused Baliraine's family of using the impoverished state of Kisakye's parents to deny her justice. 

Faith Namansa, the chairperson of Busoga governance and social accountability network, says that the case of aggravated child torture is criminal in nature and under no circumstances should negotiations proceed at this stage.

Namansa says that it is unfair to allow any out of court settlement geared towards pleasing the victim's parents as their juvenile daughter continues to battle with psychological torment all through her childhood without clear knowledge on what transpired to her in the course of growing up.

Jafari Buyinza, another activist, says that several children's rights are being suppressed by highly connected individuals who employ juveniles for maids and overly subject them to grievous forms of torture. 

Buyinza says that it is prudent for this case to be accorded chance to fair hearing as it will set a good precedent Jinja city community and the entire country at large in regard to child rights protection.

Angura has since adjourned the matter to January Friday 24th 2025.

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