Hellen Judith Baliraine, a resident of Nakanyonyi cell, in the Northern division, Jinja City, has been on remand for two months.
Hellen Judith Baliraine(in African print dress) granted bail.
A woman accused of aggravated child torture has been granted bail. Hellen Judith Baliraine, a resident of Nakanyonyi cell, in the Northern division, Jinja City, has been on remand for two months.
The bail was granted by the chief magistrate of the Jinja court, Phiona Anguria in her chambers.
Baliraine's lawyer, Sharif Ssemaganda prayed that the court release his client on bail, arguing that, she had been briefed about the whole procedure and would ably abide by all the conditions.
Ssemaganda said that his client had substantive sureties, with a good reputation in the community and were authoritative enough to direct Baliraine on adhering to the legal provisions at all times.
Ssemaganda also noted that Baliraine had a fixed place aboard in Jinja city and would in turn appear before court whenever required.
The prosecution, however, objected, citing the possibility of the accused person interfering with key witnesses since investigations were concluded and they are only waiting for the hearing to kick off.
Anguria however, ruled that bail is a constitutional right for all, and approved Baliraine's two sureties, before directing for her immediate release on bail.
Anguria further adjourned the matter for February 10th when Baliraine is required to appear before court.
Baliraine, a staff of Busoga Diocese, who doubles as a social worker with the Madhivani group of companies was granted a cash bail of One Million Shillings.
Baliraine was in December, last year charged with aggravated child torture, after reportedly exerting grievous harm to her then-seven-year-old maid, Catherine Harriet Kisakye.
Kisakye was taken up by Upendo Children's Home, which has been catering for her medication and general welfare ever since.
This ca,se however, took another twist on Monday, 20th, January, when Ssemaganda informed the court that, they were holding negotiations with Kisakye's family to handle the matters out of court.
Ssemaganda revealed that Six Million Shillings had already been disbursed to Kisakye's family to support her welfare as she recovered from trauma and pain.
The family members present denied this arrangement then, however, they later made a U-turn and confirmed the negotiations.
Kisakye's maternal uncle who spoke on condition of anonymity says that they are heavily impoverished, but hopeful of using part of this money to better her welfare as she heals from the pain of torture.
Faith Namansa, the Chairperson of the Busoga governance and social accountability network says that fighting for the rights of largely children and other vulnerable groups is often compromised by relatives preferring financial assistance to justice for the crimes committed against their own.
Namansa says that, in such scenarios, the money exchanged for freedom is divided amongst the middlemen and parents involved, leaving the victims to endure a life of pain, without any action against their tormentors.